Minneapolis council committee OKs tighter e-cigarette rules

Minneapolis moved one step closer Monday to becoming the latest city to keep e-cigarettes out of restaurants, offices and other public spaces. After listening to comments by two dozen people — about half of them in favor of more restrictions, and half opposed — a Minneapolis City Council committee voted 6-0 in favor of the new rules. The issue will now be forwarded to the full council for a final vote. While opponents of the restrictions told the council that e-cigarettes provide a vital tool for those trying to quit smoking, council members seemed more swayed by the testimony of doctors, community health workers and business owners who said chemicals emitted by the vapor devices could put others at risk. Council Member Andrew Johnson said that while e-cigarettes create less pollution than traditional cigarettes, he doesn’t buy that the devices are completely safe.