Montgomery County to hold public hearing on vaping danger, legislation

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Officials in Montgomery County Maryland have announced they will hold a public hearing on proposed legislation dealing with vaping.

The session is due to be held next Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the county council building in Rockville Maryland.

On Tuesday county officials heard testimony from Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles. Dr. Gayles tells FOX 5 he is growing “increasingly concerned” about the growing numbers of respiratory illness is linked to vaping. 

Recently, three Montgomery County students had to be taken to the hospital after experiencing respiratory issues. “The first case we were notified about there was a significant convalesce period,” Dr. Gayles said. “This individual was VERY sick, has recovered and has returned to ‘normal life’ so to speak. But we do know there are suggestions that all of the cases have been in folks who’ve vaped.”

Last week, the County Executive and Council President put out a news release announcing that Montgomery County plans to sue the manufacturers of e-cigarettes, given the growing health concerns. 

Councilmember Sydney Katz says next week’s meeting will focus on proposed County legislation which would limit the ability of Vape shops to do business near students. “Part of what is being discussed is the vape shops themselves,” Councilmember Katz says “We’d give them 18 months to a year so that they’d have to move their businesses further away, IF they’re within a half-mile from a Middle School or a High School.”

Meanwhile the Maryland Department of Health in Baltimore tells FOX 5 they now have 38 confirmed cases of respiratory illness in the state of Maryland connected to the use of vapes and e-cigarette’s.