City Council Meeting Date: February 4, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution of Support for Raising the Legal Age for Tobacco Sales and Possession from 18 to 21 and Banning the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products in the State of Minnesota.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends a motion to approve Resolution of Support for Raising the Legal Age for Tobacco Sales and Possession from 18 to 21 and Banning the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products in the State of Minnesota.
Summary Report:
The City Council recently passed an ordinance increasing the age to sell tobacco products in Northfield from 18 to 21. The ordinance also had a number of other updates and provisions included.
The Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse and Prevention (Northfield ASAP) also recommends advocacy for additional State Legislative action. The Federal Government recently has made changes restricting sales to the age of 21 as well as some limitations on the sale of flavored tobacco products. Additionally, many local communities in Minnesota including Northfield have made changes in the law to address concerns related to changes in use of tobacco products leading to serious health risks to youth from new products and access.
Northfield ASAP did advise that some provisions of regulation and enforcement would be more effective and equitable across Minnesota if the State adopted regulations, particularly around the area of possession and use of tobacco products as well as restrictions on certain types of products such as flavored tobacco.
The attached resolution recommends the state take action on new legislation to regulate tobacco. There is additional background supporting documentation. Please note a revised graph from a previous presentation that illustrates tobacco use of youth in Northfield. Some of the statistics were in error from previous presentations but now have been corrected.
Alternative Options:
None rec...
Click here for full text