BART's Board of Directors officially banned the systemwide use of e-cigarettes, or "vaping," on Thursday, outlining the fines that would be issued to people violating the ban. The Board originally agreed to ban the devices last month, but this most recent move puts the rules for the ban in place and makes it effective immediately.

First-time offenders will be hit with a $100 fine, $200 for a second violation within a year, and $500 for each subsequent violation within a five-year period. However, there will be a roll out period as signs are put up on stations and BART police will only issue warnings. According to the press release, this new ban allows BART to "be more in line with similar county and city-level bans." Just last month the City of San Francisco started its "#CurbIt" campaign, reminding vapers to take it outside.

"A number of complaints have reached the board of directors about people using electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on BART property. Other transit providers have enacted similar prohibitions," said Director Robert Raburn in the release.

According to ABC 7, BART saw it necessary to enforce their own ban with no state and federal laws restricting the devices. Various anti-smoking groups such as the American Lung Association backed the measure. The state's Department of Public Health has called them a "threat to public health."