Vaping in public places is now illegal in Ashland.

ASHLAND, Ky. — The Daily Independent reports (http://bit.ly/1m0mIXv) the city’s board of commissioners amended Ashland’s anti-smoking ordinance Thursday after listening to arguments from both sides of the e-cigarette debate.

Amy Jeffers of Pathways Regional Prevention Center stood before the board and spoke out against vaping. She claimed vapor is actually an aerosol, and that second-hand aerosol can be a health risk.

Carl Wellman of Kentucky Smoke Free Association told the board that e-cigarettes can help aspiring quitters kick their smoking habit. He said equating vaping with smoking is a shortsighted decision by the city.

The commissioners briefly discussed but swiftly adopted the amendment. Commissioner Kevin Gunderson says the public van wouldn’t cast a restrictive net over vape shops.