Olmsted Co. expands smoking ban to e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes
Steffani Leifeld smokes an e-cigarette at the Smokeless Smoking electronic cigarette store in Woodbury, Minn.
Chris Polydoroff/St. Paul Pioneer Press via AP

Olmsted County commissioners have voted unanimously to add e-cigarettes to the county's smoking ban.

What that means: E-cigarette use will be banned in restaurants, businesses, government buildings and other public places where conventional cigarettes are prohibited.

Olmsted County Commissioner Paul Wilson says the board passed the ban because of the uncertain health impacts of e-cigarettes.

Beltrami and Houston counties have passed similar bans. Cities including Edina, Mankato and Duluth already ban the indoor use of e-cigarettes. The city of Minneapolis is also considering a ban.

The new Olmsted County law goes into effect on January 1st.

Dear reader,

Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.

Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?

It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
Headshot of 1A host Jenn White
On Air
1A with Jenn White