ST PAUL, Minn. — Vaping alcohol is an emerging trend in bars and clubs around the country. But in Minnesota, it's illegal. And a bar owner southeast of the Twin Cities learned that the hard way last month.
Curt Woldengen, owner of the Roundup bar in Hampton, joined state officials at a press conference Wednesday to warn other bar owners and the general public about the devices.
Woldengen bought the Vapshot Alcohol Mist machine for $2,000 after a friend told him about how popular they are in Wisconsin.
"It was new, didn't seem dangerous, so I got on the internet and purchased the device last summer," Woldengen said.
But what Woldengen didn't know is that while machines that vaporize alcohol are legal in Wisconsin, they are illegal in Minnesota.
In 2006, the state passed a law that basically says liquid alcohol is the only legal form of alcohol.
"This is something that is not only illegal, but it's also potentially dangerous for you and anyone who uses it," said Sr. Special Agent Terry Kelley from DPS Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement.
The Vapshot Alcohol Mist turns alcohol into tiny droplets. Users fill a balloon from the spout then breathe the mist into their lungs.
Health officials say there's been no research done on devices like this. They don't know how to correlate the amount of alcohol vaped with the amount drank.
"For example, I can't tell you that taking five deep big breaths of inhaled alcohol is the same as taking one shot of vodka or whatever kind of alcohol you're using," said Dr. Ann Arens from MN Poison Control.
In addition, Arens says, human lungs aren't built for breathing alcohol.
Woldengen is the only bar owner caught with a device so far.
He voluntarily joined the state officials to help warn Minnesotans of this emerging and illegal trend.
The DPS Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division says anyone who has an alcohol vaping device and didn't realize they are illegal can hand them over without getting in trouble.