Public policy concerns and public health impacts of electronic cigarette use was one of the biggest health news topics this year. The emergence of deadly vaping-related illnesses and the push to improve regulation had many on edge for what’s next.

At the 2019 MACo Winter Conference session, “Clearing the Air: A Closer Look at Vaping,” panelists shared the latest on vaping, its public health impacts, and what is being done about it both nationally and locally.

Kathleen Hoke, Law School Professor and Director of the Network for Public Health Law, Eastern Region and the Center for Tobacco Regulation at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law provided an overview of the sate and federal regulatory landscape over vaping products.

Montgomery County Council Member Gabe Albornoz discussed how the county took action to address public health and youth vaping concerns by introducing local legislation to regulate vape sales in the county.

Panagis Galiatsatos, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Director of the Tobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins presented on the physical and mental effects nicotine, tobacco, and vaping on their users from what he’s studied and seen treating patients in his clinic.

The session was moderated by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

The 2019 MACo Winter Conference, “Building for the Future,” was held on December 4-6, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland.