The Council finds that current state law of prohibiting sales of tobacco-related products to persons under the age of 18 has proven ineffective in preventing those persons from using tobacco-related products. The Council has concluded that minors have ready access to self-service merchandising, including vending machines, which sell tobacco-related products. The Council has also concluded that the prohibition of the sale or dispensing of tobacco-related products through vending machines and the regulation of sales through self-service merchandising will thereby promote the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city, particularly those residents under 18 years of age.
(Prior Code, § 6.23, Subd. 1) (Ord. 200, effective 5-21-1999)