By Jalen Maki

Tomahawk Leader Editor

TOMAHAWK – After the City of Tomahawk’s Health and Safety Committee recommended amending the city’s municipal code to include electronic cigarette and other vaping devices in the city’s ordinance regarding the purchasing and possession of tobacco products, the Common Council gave the final thumbs-up to do so during its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

The proposal was introduced during the council’s meeting last month.

Tomahawk Police Chief Al Elvins told the Health and Safety Committee this summer that the use of electronic cigarette devices, also known as e-cigarettes, has recently increased among Tomahawk students.

Under the ordinance, vaping devices would be included among cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and similar products.

Along with the amended ordinance, the council also added e-cigarettes and vaping devices to the list of tobacco products prohibited from being used in city buildings.

A public hearing regarding the matter was held during last week’s meeting, and after no members of the public spoke on the subject, the council voted unanimously to approve the amended ordinance.