Because the city recognizes that the sale of commercial tobacco, tobacco related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products to persons under the age of 21 years are violations of both state and federal laws; and because studies, which the city hereby accepts and adopts (e.g., CDC, Minnesota Department of Public Health/ASSIST) have shown that most smokers begin smoking before they have reached the age of 21 years, and that those persons who reach the age of 21 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 section shall be intended to regulate the sale of tobacco, tobacco related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws, to protect persons under the age of 21 against the serious effects associated with the use and initiation, and to further official policy of the state in regard to preventing young people from starting to smoke as stated in M.S. § 144.391, as it may be amended from time to time.
(2003 Code, § 6.35-1) (Ord. 80, passed 10-29-1998; Ord. 196, passed 8-5-2019; Ord. 219, passed 8-21-2023)