Wis. bill would exempt e-cigarettes from ban

Electronic cigarettes could be used indoors, despite Wisconsin's smoking ban, under a proposal that's up for a public hearing.

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The Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee is scheduled to take testimony on the measure Wednesday. Committee chairman Sen. Glenn Grothman is also the bill's sponsor.

The measure would effectively allow e-cigarette users to smoke where traditional smoking is banned. Wisconsin's statewide indoor smoking ban took effect in 2010. Grothman's bill would exempt the devices, which smokers use to inhale nicotine-laced vapors, from the law.

Four states currently treat e-cigarettes nearly the same as conventional tobacco products, prohibiting them where cigarettes and cigars are banned.

Alcohol and convenience store lobbyists support the bill while various health associations oppose it.