CITIES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ARE PLANNING TO BAN E-CIGARETTES. SANTA CRUZ AND SCOTTS VALLEY WILL SOON PROHIBIT E-CIGARETTES FROM BEING SMOKED DOWNTOWN, AT BEACHES, PARKS, AS WELL AS RESTAURANTS AND BARS. COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SKEPTICAL OF CLAIMS STATING THE DEVICES ARE A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE TO CIGARETTES. ADDITIONALLY CANDY AND FRUIT-FLAVORED E-CIGS ARE MARKETED TO MINORS WITHOUT REGULATION. THE BAN WILL GO INTO EFFECT IN TWO WEEKS.