Bismarck bans e-cigarette sales to minors

By LeAnn Eckroth
BISMARCK, N.D. –The Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday banned selling or providing e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18. The new law, approved 5-0, also prohibits minors from using and selling the product.
Violators will be fined up to $500. Minors found having or using the product could be fined up to $70.
The ordinance says minors cannot be sold devices with a heating element — battery or electric circuit — to inhale as if smoking cigarettes, or possess such elements. The devices include those that contain nicotine or simulate cigarette use.
No one objected to the new ordinance at the public hearing Tuesday.
Valerie [Schoepf], a board member of the of the Tobacco Free Coalition, supported it.
“Without passage of this ordinance, it would technically remain legal for an 8, 12 or 17-year-old to purchase e-cigarettes in our community. It’s time to close this loophole,” she said.
“Not only can these be candy-flavored, you can buy cartoon wraps for them to make them visually pleasing, said Mandy Jordan, a representative of the Century High School Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions.
To read more, visit: http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bismarck-bans-e-cigarette-sales-to-minors/article_cc176c66-938a-11e3-b224-0019bb2963f4.html