Vaping banned in Hope’s public places

As Hope Town Councilman Ed Johnson worked to set up for Heritage Days Thursday afternoon, he took note of fellow workers using their e-cigarettes to vape around the town square. Up until Thursday evening, that was perfectly legal.

But after action by the council at a special meeting Thursday evening, vaping and e-cigarettes will be illegal in most public places in the community — treated just like cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The Hope Town Council suspended the rules that require new ordinances to have two public readings before a new town law can take effect.

The council held the special Thursday night meeting  in order to get the ban on the books before the start of Hope Heritage Days today.