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St. Paul, MN Eliminates Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products
January 10, 2016
On January 6, the Saint Paul City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to restrict the sale of non-menthol flavored tobacco products to tobacco-only retail shops. It is only the 2nd municipality in Minnesota to do so, following its sister city, Minneapolis. About four fifths (79%) of Saint PaulÈs 262 tobacco retailers sell flavored tobacco products. The new law will reduce the number of stores that can carry flavored tobacco products down to about 16 stores. The ordinance also established a minimum price for packages containing three or fewer cigars at $2.60 per cigar.
There were two public hearings held on the ordinance because the tobacco license holders failed to receive the required 30-day written notification for the first hearing. In total, our public health coalition had 11 testifiers, including students, parents, a doctor, and community leaders, along with many other supporters in the audience. At both hearings, electronic cigarette retailers, the tobacco industry and convenience store owners opposed our efforts to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products that are so enticing to youth. At the end of the council discussion during the final hearing, one city council member stated that the ordinance will send a message to Big Tobacco that marketing to kids will not be tolerated.
Minnesota is a state that has led the way when it comes to tobacco control policies. Thanks to the work of ACS CAN advocates, the state went completely smoke-free inside bars, restaurants and workplaces in 2007 and has one of the highest tobacco taxes in the country. The next step for Minnesota is restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide. Smoke-free air and high tobacco taxes helped the state prevent kids from becoming addicted, but there is more to do with candy and fruit flavored tobacco products that are just as dangerous as traditional non-flavored tobacco products. ACS CAN, along with its coalition partners, support restricting the sale of these products.
Cheap, flavored tobacco products appeal to kids. By taking these products out of stores youth visit daily and raising the price of these cheap products, Saint Paul will help prevent another generation from becoming lifelong tobacco users. We hope the rest of Minnesota and the country will follow suit to protect the health and safety of our youth.
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