Maine Senate Approves Ban on E-Cigarettes From Schools

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate has voted in support of a proposal to ban electronic smoking devices from schools in the state.

The Senate's approval came Thursday, a day after a committee unanimously supported the proposal by Sen. Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth. The proposal includes a prohibition on electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic hookahs or vape pens.

Maine lawmakers say the proposal was inspired in part by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration statement from last year that said e-cigarette use among teenagers in America was growing to the point of becoming an epidemic.

The bill will face additional votes in the Senate and the Maine House of Representatives.