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 18 violates both state and federal laws; and because studies, which the city accepts and adopts, have shown that youth use of any commercial tobacco product has increased to 26.4% in Minnesota; and because nearly 90% of smokers begin smoking before they have reached the age of 18 years, and that almost no one starts smoking after age 25; and because marketing analysis, public health research, and commercial tobacco industry documents reveal that tobacco companies have used menthol, mint, fruit, candy, and alcohol flavors as a way to target youth and young adults and that the presence of such flavors can make it more difficult to quit; and because studies show that youth and young adults are especially susceptible to commercial tobacco product availability, advertising, and price promotions at tobacco retail environments; and because commercial tobacco use has been shown to be the cause of many serious health problems which subsequently place a financial burden on all levels of government, this chapter is intended to regulate the sale of commercial tobacco, tobacco-related devices, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine or lobelia delivery products for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws, to protect youth and young adults against the serious health effects associated with use and initiation, and to further the official public policy of the state to prevent young people from starting to smoke, as stated in M.S. § 144.391, as it may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. 212, passed 10-15-2019)