Duluth Restricts E-Cigarettes, Bans Hookah Bars

DULUTH (AP) - The Duluth City Council has voted to ban hookah bars and restrict the use of electronic cigarettes.

Despite concerns over driving business out of the city and intruding on residents' lives, the council Monday night adopted a series of anti-smoking ordinances.

People smoking electronic cigarettes will be subject to the same restrictions as those who use regular cigarettes. Another local law prevents businesses that feature waterpipe smoking, or hookahs, from locating in the city.

Councilor Jay Fosle opposed the new ordinances, saying individual businesses and properties already have the right to ban use of e-cigarettes if they wish. Fosle says the restrictions will push businesses into neighboring communities.