Electronic tobacco delivery devices topic of discussion

Pipestone County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. during their July 25 meeting to take comments on a proposed Pipestone County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance.

The ordinance would expand prohibitions on tobacco use beyond the scope of the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (MCIAA) to include electronic tobacco delivery devices in the definition of smoking, thereby prohibiting the use of the electronic delivery devices in the same public places that smoking is currently prohibited. Those areas include public places, places of work, and outdoor dining or bar areas.

The ordinance would add a prohibition against smoking and the use of electronic tobacco delivery devices within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows and ventilation intakes of public places and places of work. It would also prohibit free sampling of cigarettes and e-cigarettes in tobacco shops, which is allowed by state statue, but prohibited by federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Southwest Health and Human Services (SWHHS) prepared the ordinance and Ann Orren, SWHHS community public health supervisor, encouraged the county board during its June 13 meeting to consider its adoption.