Flavored Cigar Sales Banned in Minneapolis

Flavored cigars will no longer be sold in Minneapolis convenience stores starting in January.

The city council voted Friday to ban flavored tobacco products at convenience stores.

The federal government banned flavored cigarettes in 2009, but other tobacco products are still sold with fruit and candy flavors.

The vote followed several weeks of debate between anti-tobacco advocates who argued that flavored products were designed to attract young smokers and shop owners who fear a significant hit to their businesses.