EPHRATA - Come Thursday, county residents who use electronic cigarettes will no longer be able to use them in public places.

A countywide public health policy concerning the sale and use of e-cigarettes officially goes into effect today.. Grant County Health District officials adopted the policy, which among other things bans the use of e-cigarettes in public places and the sale of them to minors, in September.

The district had been considering adopting a countywide policy that would set restrictions on the sale, use and availability of e-cigarettes and related products for a couple of months prior to adopting one, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article.

Health District officials said they were specifically concerned with youth access to vapor devices and e-liquids as well as bystander exposure to second hand vapors.

"Electronic vapor devices have a strong appeal to youth due to their high technology design and availability in child-friendly flavors," read the policy. "They also represent a substantial risk of nicotine addiction and resultant harm to public health and safety."

The document went on to state that the use of e-cigarettes in public places could increase social acceptance of smoking and re-normalize, "publicly inhaling nicotine which is contrary to public health efforts of the past 50 years."

The policy was unanimously adopted during the district's September meeting.

Under the new policy, the sale and distribution of electronic vapor devices and e-liquid (with or without nicotine) is restricted to those age 18 and older. Retailers will have to post a sign that states sales to youth are prohibited and products must be stored behind a counter or in a locked cabinet.

In addition, sales from vending machines in places minors are present are prohibited.

The new policy also mirrors the current Smoking in Public Places law, essentially banning the use of e-cigarettes in the same places traditional cigarettes are not allowed. The law, passed by state voters in 2005, prohibits smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants, bowling centers, skating rinks and non-tribal casinos.

The definition of "public place" also includes private residences used to provide childcare, foster care or similar social services and at least 75 percent of sleeping quarters in a hotel. The Smoking in Public Places law prohibits smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits and windows that open in areas where smoking is prohibited.

The exception to the rule under the Grant County policy is vape shops or shops that only sell vapor devices and e-liquids and that also prohibit minors from entering.

Violating the policy can come with a civil penalty of $100 for each violation.

The health district will work with business owners to answer questions and provide them with information and signage so they will be compliant under the new policy, according to a letter from the district.

Grant County joins King and Pierce counties and the city of Pasco in being one of a handful of municipalities in the state to adopt an e-cigarette policy, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article. Nationally, major cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco have policies in place.

Only three states - New Jersey, North Dakota and Utah - have enacted laws prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes everywhere that smoking is already banned, according to the article.

A handful of other states, including Oregon, Maryland and Arkansas, have limited laws that ban the use of e-cigarettes in places like schools and government buildings.

For more information on the Grant County policy, call 509-766-7960 or visit www.granthealth.org.