(A) The city recognizes that many persons under the age of 21 years purchase or otherwise obtain, possess and use tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco-related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products and such sales, possession and use are violations of either state or federal laws or both.
(B) The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the city pursuant to powers granted under M.S. § 144.414(b) and M.S. § 461.19 and subsequent recodifications and/or amendments, as amended and other applicable legislation, as may be adopted from time to time. Further, the purpose of this chapter is to:
(1) Regulate the sale of tobacco, tobacco products and tobacco related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws;
(2) Prevent and protect underage individuals against the health harms from the use of tobacco, tobacco products and tobacco related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products;
(3) Further the official public policy of the State of Minnesota, as stated in M.S. § 144.391, in regard to preventing underage individuals from starting to smoke;
(4) Prevent second hand tobacco exposure and its adverse health effects on employees, patrons and the general public while in public indoor areas and places of employment;
(5) Protect, in particular, the health of vulnerable populations including children and those with chronic health conditions;
(6) Maintain consistency in enforcement of clean air in public indoor areas, and in the use of products that simulate combustible tobacco products.
(Prior Code, § 6.32) (Am. Ord. 2, Second Series, passed 2-12-1998; Am. Ord. 2015-09, passed 7-6-2015; Am. Ord. 2020-05, passed 9-21-2020)