Olmsted Co. expands smoking ban to e-cigarettes

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.