Because the city recognizes that many persons under the age of 18 years purchase or otherwise obtain, possess and use tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco-related devices, electronic cigarettes, electronic delivery device and nicotine or lobelia delivery devices, and the sales, possession, and use are violations of both state and federal laws; and because studies, which the city hereby accepts and adopts, have shown that most smokers begin smoking before they have reached the age of 18 years and that those persons who reach the age of 18 years without having started smoking are significantly less likely to begin smoking; and because smoking has been shown to be the cause of several serious health problems which subsequently place a financial burden on all levels of government; this chapter intends to regulate the sale, possession and use of tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco-related devices, electronic cigarettes, electronic delivery device and nicotine or lobelia delivery devices for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws, to protect minors against the serious effects associated with the illegal use of tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco-related devices, electronic cigarettes, electronic delivery device and nicotine or lobelia delivery devices, and to further the official public policy of the state in regard to preventing young people from starting to smoke as stated in M.S. § 144.391, as amended from time to time.
(Ord. 388, passed 11-5-2018)