Minneapolis City Council votes to raise e-cigarette prices to $25 minimum

Mpls raises e-cig prices, approves red light cameras

The Minneapolis City Council voted to raise the minimum prices of e-cigarettes and approved a contract for red light traffic cameras. FOX 9's Bill Keller has the latest report.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis City Council members unanimously approved a proposal that would significantly raise the price of e-cigarettes.

READ MORE: Minneapolis council considers setting $25 minimum price for e-cigarettes

The new rule will go into effect as soon as the mayor signs off on it, which could happen later this month. 

Minneapolis City Council passes e-cig price hike

Big picture view:

The minimum price for a single disposable e-cigarette was $8.99, but that price has now been raised to $25.

The new ordinance also prevents any new tobacco shops from being built within 300 feet of schools.

Proponents say the goal is to prevent minors from getting addicted to nicotine, while helping adults quit.  

However, many business owners opposed the plan.

E-cig proposal passed unanimously 

What they're saying:

All Minneapolis city council members voted for the price hike.

Minneapolis City Council Member Aurin Chowdhury said, "We know that the health effects, especially for young people, are tremendous. Not only on our respiratory systems, but there is so much public health research that shows that vaping can lead to and exacerbate mental health issues, from anxiety, depression, to suicidal ideation."

"The work was always around cigarettes, and then the tobacco industry, as they do, just kind of swooped in and made e-cigarettes and vape devices huge in the community for young people, and so this is part of the work that helps to keep our young people from smoking," said Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw.

"And you say, 'yeah, we'll just drive to the next county,' but that's not actually how people operate," said Emily Anderson from the Association for nonsmokers Minnesota. "Especially young people, they don't have the mobility to drive a couple cities or a couple countie over, so we know that the price right in their hometown is the most important factor in, like I said, preventing them from ever starting in the first place and helping those who want to quit to do so."