Which Way, L.A.?
LA City Council Votes to Regulate Sale of E-Cigarettes
The FDA hasn't been heard from, but an LA City Councilman calls inhaling e-cigarettes a "deadly habit." We hear about yesterday's unanimous decision to regulate sales.
By Warren Olney • • 25m ListenThe FDA hasn't been heard from, but an LA City Councilman calls inhaling the vapor from e-cigarettes a "deadly habit," and all 14 colleagues agree. We hear about yesterday's unanimous decision to regulate sales and get reaction from a pioneer in the business of marketing e-cigarettes. Also, the Democratic Mayor of a liberal city wants relief from paying into worker retirement plans. We talk with Chuck Reed of San Jose about a proposal for next year's state ballot.
On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, with holiday shopping under way, there's continued evidence of a frustrated workforce, with fast food workers striking again today. And President Obama has called for a federal minimum wage hike from $7.25 to $10 an hour. Would that help rectify income inequality? What are its chances on Capitol Hill and around the country?
Banner image: Bobby Yip/Reuters
In this episode
2 storiesE-Cigarettes: Health Hazard or Safe Way to Quit Smoking Tobacco?
E-cigarettes are already a $1.7 billion business that's growing fast. The Centers for Disease Control reports that some 10% of high school students have inhaled vapor produced by the electronic devices. They heat liquids that sometimes contain nicotine and sometimes don't.
Read the story17 minSan Jose Mayor Pushes for Pension Reform
Vallejo, Stockton and San Bernardino have declared bankruptcy, but they're not the only California cities in dire financial straits. Several others say they can't afford police, parks and other basic services because they're paying so much into workers' retirement plans.
Read the story8 min
