New Minn. Law Restricts E-Cigs

DULUTH - "We're in support of trying to make healthy decisions," UMD Smoke Tobacco Free Task Force Chair BreAnn Graber said. UMD recently beefed up its no smoking policy, now stripping away both the use of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on campus."We just wanted to really help our students and faculty staff make healthy choices,” said Graber. “You know with our sustainability efforts keep our campuses clean." But a new law is giving the campus's smoking ban even more muscle. Inhaling vapor from electronic cigarettes is no longer allowed in day care centers, hospitals or clinics in the state. E–cigs are also now banned in buildings owned and operated by governments and Minnesota state colleges and universities systems. "It's kind of nice because it aligns with our policy that just came into affect today,” said Graber. Brian Annis owns Duluth e–cig shop Lake Effect Vapor and agrees with the new restrictions."I think the legislation that went into effect today was the responsible route for Minnesota to take," said Annis. Annis says he especially supports the part of the law that is the complete opposite of Duluth’s existing ordinance. State law does not ban vaping in restaurants and bars, leaving that decision in the hands of private business owners. But in Duluth, vaping is not allowed at all indoors. "The fact that Duluth has taken that away from us is overreaching," said Annis. Because of Duluth's current ordinance, some e-cig shops do not believe the new legislation will hurt their businesses."The restrictions statewide are less than what they are here in Duluth," said Annis. Annis also tells FOX 21 he hopes Duluth will one day take a second look at its current ordinance. Here is a look at other Minnesota Laws passed: ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) E-CIGARETTES:      Starting Tuesday, there's no more vaping in day care centers, hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities. Ditto for buildings owned or operated by governments ranging from townships all the way up to the state, plus the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems. Health organizations didn't get the broad restrictions they pushed for at the Capitol this spring. Restaurants and bars aren't included in the ban, as private businesses are left to decide whether they want to do anything on their own to block use of e-cigarettes on their premises. Other restrictions will be phased in over the next few months, including a ban on selling e-cigarettes at kiosks and a requirement that the liquid used in e-cigarettes come in child-resistant packaging. The e-cigarette restrictions were part of a broader health policy law that, also starting Tuesday, blocks people younger than 18 from tanning beds that use ultraviolet light. SMARTPHONE KILL SWITCHES:      Minnesota this year became the first state to pass legislation requiring a kill switch for smartphones as a way to make them less attractive to thieves. The law starts small. On Tuesday, Minnesota dealers in used phones must begin keeping detailed records of every acquisition, including information on the device and the seller, plus a statement signed by the seller that says the phone isn't stolen. Dealers also have to install video equipment to record the faces of people who sell used phones. The full force of the legislation doesn't kick in until July 2015. That's when all smartphones bought or sold in Minnesota have to have the kill switch technology. HEROIN:      Lawmakers took several steps aimed at the epidemic in heroin use. Starting Tuesday, people who seek medical help for someone having a drug overdose can't be charged with drug possession if the evidence came from their call for help. The other major part of the law takes effect Aug. 1, when more people _ mainly police and emergency responders _ are allowed to carry a medication that's effective against opiate overdoses. HELP FOR BEES:      Help is on the way for the honeybees that are so important to food supplies. A big spending bill for environmental projects includes $864,000 for the University of Minnesota to identify food sources for pollinators, plus another $326,000 to research how neonicotinoids _ a class of insecticide _ affect bees. PART-TIME POLICE:      Part-time police officers will become a thing of the past under a law that took effect Monday. Law enforcement agencies can no longer hire part-time officers. Current part-timers _ the state has 175 of them _ can keep their jobs until they retire, but they can't move to new agencies. Supporters of the law said it was necessary to professionalize the state's police officers.