E-Smoking Boom Leads to Taxing, Regulation Questions

WOODBURY, Minn. (AP) — Stores that sell increasingly popular e-cigarettes are popping up around the Twin Cities which is highlighting the lack of regulation or taxation of the tobacco alternative.

So-called e-cigs are battery powered and produce a nicotine vapor. Owners of e-cigarette stores tell the St. Paul Pioneer Press that demand skyrocketed in July when a state tax increase sent cigarette prices up to about $7.50 a pack.

The federal Food and Drug Administration is expected to release regulations on e-cigarettes soon. Some worry that e-cigs with flavors like root beer appeal to young people.

One White Bear Lake man tells the newspaper that nicotine patches never worked form him as a tobacco alternative. But he switched to e-cigs in 2011 and says it's nice to save money — and smell better.