Senate Votes to Equate E-Cigarettes to Smoking

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota senators have voted for a stringent set of electronic cigarette standards that would make their use unacceptable in any place regular tobacco is disallowed.

The approach endorsed Thursday goes further than a House companion bill, so the two measures must be reconciled for any e-cigarette regulations to become law. A move to pare back the indoor air restrictions in the Senate bill failed on a 35-28 vote.

Both bills impose restrictions on sales of e-cigarette devices and liquids to minors. The House bill would also make them off-limits in government buildings.

The Senate legislation equates the vapor-emitting devices to standard cigarettes, making them subject to the Freedom to Breathe law.