MARC Train Says No to E-Cigarettes

An interesting note came this week from the Maryland Transit Administration, the folks who operate the MARC trains.

"A reminder to MARC passengers. The use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted on board the MARC train service. MARC and the MTA’s policy continues to be that smoking of any kind is not permitted on board MTA vehicles. Thank you for your cooperation."

This struck me as funny, only because I don't think I've ever seen anyone smoking an electronic cigarette. But someone must have recently "lit" one during a ride on MARC.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are designed to be healthier than regular cigarettes because they only emit an odorless mist.

But the Food and Drug Administration has discouraged their use and I guess MARC finds them potentially bothersome to riders.

Should e-cigarettes be exempt from no-smoking rules? If you were sitting next to someone on the train and he or she whipped out an e-cigarette, would you object?