Austin city officials to vote on e-cigarette ban

The city of Austin, Minn., is the latest to consider a ban on the public use of electronic cigarettes.

Austin city officials will vote Monday night on an ordinance that would ban e-cigarettes from places where smoking is already prohibited.

City Administrator Craig Clark said those places include public spaces, workplaces and outdoor dining or bar areas. He said the lack of research on the health risks of e-cigarette vapor makes the ban necessary.

"People have enjoyed smoke-free facilities, and they're not necessarily interested in having the e-cigarettes in public spaces as well," Clark said.

If approved, the new law will replace a moratorium on e-cigarettes that expires on April 1. It will also apply to hookahs and other smoking devices.

If the measure passes, Austin will join Minneapolis, Duluth, Bloomington and Edina in banning the devices in public places.