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Mayor Johnson questioned what cities had turned down tobacco age change Ordinance. Ms. Engman stated <br />the cities of St. Cloud and Mankato were the only ones to date. She noted the St. Cloud City Council had <br />unanimous support but the Mayor vetoed the Ordinance. <br />Ms. Engman commented further on the initiative to have flavored tobacco sales occur only at adult only <br />tobacco shops. She presented the Council with several flavored tobacco products and reviewed their marketing <br />campaigns. She explained flavored tobacco products were very appealing to kids. She encouraged the Council <br />to consider banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products within the community except for adult only <br />tobacco shops. She reviewed several statistics and commented on the benefits of keeping youth away from <br />tobacco products. <br />Mayor Johnson asked student Isabelle what her thoughts were on changing the tobacco age. <br />Isabelle stated she sees e -cigarette use everywhere she goes. She believed it was really sad that students in <br />high school were becoming addicted to e -cigarettes so young and would be fighting an addition for the rest of <br />their life. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked why the age was proposed to be 21 versus 19. Ms. Ackert commented on a <br />research study that was completed noting an increased age to 19, 21 and 25 were all studied. She reported an <br />age increase to 21 was found to be the most effective. <br />Councilmember Burg questioned how the City would proceed. Ms. Engman reported she has a draft <br />Ordinance the Council could review and consider. She noted a Public Hearing could be scheduled to take <br />comments from the public and noted the Council could also meet with local business owners. <br />Mayor Johnson stated this was a big decision for the Council to consider. She feared the City was trying to <br />regulate something that parenting should address. She supported the Council holding a Public Hearing on this <br />matter to assist in convincing her one way or the other. At this time, she supported this matter being regulated <br />at a State level and not a local level. <br />Councilmember Burg explained she worked in the mental health field. She commented on the high number of <br />smokers she worked with and discussed how these individuals suffered from other addictions. She was of the <br />opinion a tobacco Ordinance would positively impact the community. <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated she would like further information on how local businesses would be <br />impacted by the proposed age change. Ms. Engman reported tobacco sales for youth aged 18-21 made up only <br />2% of the market share. <br />Councilmember Allen explained he was an on -again, off -again smoker. He reported this was a terrible <br />addiction that he has struggled with and noted he has had three grandparents that died early from smoking <br />related illnesses. He stated he supported raising the tobacco sale age to 21 and recommended menthol <br />cigarettes be included. <br />Mayor Johnson stated she would sit down and speak with City Manager Lotter in order to schedule a public <br />hearing. She believed it would be important to hear the voice of students at this public hearing. She thanked <br />the Tobacco Coalition members for being in attendance and for providing the Council with a valuable <br />presentation. <br />Fire Truck Replacement <br />