COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene will ban minors from possessing electronic cigarettes.

The City Council agreed to adopt an ordinance Tuesday evening that would mirror the state's minor in possession of tobacco law, only apply to electronic cigarettes as well.

The new ordinance would prevent stores from selling to minors too. Minors caught with the devices would be subject to about a $100 fine. Selling to minors would be a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Anti-smoking advocates approached the city about creating the rule amid concerns that the new devices were showing up in local schools. The law mirrors one already adopted in Spokane Valley, but is the first in Idaho, City Councilman Mike Kennedy said.

E-cigarettes were invented in 2003 and allow people to heat nicotine, herbs or other substances and ingest the active ingredients without actually burning the substance.

Advocates call it an important, healthier step to quitting smoking. They are flavored, with four ingredients including nicotine - compared to 4,000 in real smokes.