COEUR D'ALENE -- The city of Coeur d'Alene is considering banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
The electronic cigarettes allow the user to heat nicotine, herbs or other substances and ingest the active ingredients without actually burning the substance.
Proponents say e-cigarettes are healthier than smoking and can be used to help people quit, but groups including the American Lung Association say more needs to be studied before they can be called a safer alternative or even a cessation step.
The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that anti-smoking advocates including Natalie Forsyth with the American Lung Association of Idaho have asked the city to enforce a ban in the spring. The advocates feel that banning sales of the devices to minors will send an important message to kids about smoking in general.
