2019.05.28 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 14, 2019 Page 4 of 11 Public Hearing. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays - Motion Carried The Public Hearing was opened at 7:03 p.m. City Manager Lotter indicated Public Safety Director Paetznick would be presenting this item to the Council. Public Safety Director Paetznick stated per Council direction, staff has drafted an ordinance amendment to raise the age of purchase for tobacco products to 21 and restrict the sale of all flavored products in the City of New Brighton. As of April 2019, 31 Minnesota cities and counties have raised the minimum legal sale age for tobacco products to 21, including the Ramsey County communities of Falcon Heights, Shoreview, Roseville, Lauderdale, North Oaks, and Arden Hills. In addition, 10 Minnesota communities restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products, with Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Duluth, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Arden Hills and Mendota Heights also restricting the sale of menthol tobacco products. The 13 current New Brighton tobacco license holders were notified of the potential change on April 8th and the proposed amended ordinance was posted and placed on the City’s website on May 1st following review by the City Attorney Mayor Johnson opened the meeting for public comment. Anika Fabien, 2665 15th Street, stated she was an 8th grader at High View Middle School. She explained she fully supported Tobacco 21 and getting flavored tobacco products out of New Brighton. She reported she was missing an academic honors night and dance practice in order to attend this meeting. She indicated she had met with Minnesota legislators through the Minnesotans for Smoke Free Generation at the Day at the Capitol and advocated for tobacco free policies. She discussed the tobacco industry’s motives and noted she sees the impacts on her peers. She commented on how the fruity flavors were drawing young people to vaping. She encouraged the Council to pass a Tobacco 21 Ordinance. A resident living on 2051 Long Lake Road, explained he has been a resident of New Brighton for the past 45 years. He reported he was a retired medical oncologist and had a degree in Public Health. He stated he has been asked to speak on behalf of the Twin Cities Medical Association. He indicated this Ordinance would be an opportunity for the City to save lives, especially the lives of the young people in the community. He stated he has treated many people for lung cancer. He noted there would be 480,000 deaths associated with smoking tobacco this year in the United States. He reported every day 3,800 individuals younger than the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette. He explained the use of electronic cigarettes are making the use more sophisticated. He commented on how the data was showing a migration from smoking cigarettes to e- cigarettes. He stated studies have shown it was taking longer for people to get off e-cigarettes than if someone were to stop smoking cold turkey. He provided further information on a study that was completed regarding e-cigarettes from 2018. He encouraged the Council to make an impact on the community and pass a Tobacco 21 ordinance. Susan Relling, resident of Shoreview, stated she was a parent of a 16, 17 and 20 year old in the Mounds View School District. She noted she was a pediatric nurse. She reviewed some of the items she had found in her house that were nicotine vaping products. She reported both of her boys were addicted to nicotine products because of these products. She commented her boys have now moved onto dank vape, which contains 94% THC. She explained the access to vaping products was too easy as friends could easily make a purchase for her sons. She indicated vaping was very wide-spread in the Mounds View School district. She encouraged the Council to eliminate the sale of flavored tobacco in the City of New Brighton and to pass a Tobacco 21 Ordinance. Ryan Wolf, resident of Mounds View, explained he owns Midwest Vapers on Silver Lake Road. He stated having been in the business for the past six years he has seen how smokers moving to electronic devices have had to disassociate themselves from the taste of tobacco. He commented flavored e-liquids provide that distance while still offering the hand to mouth experience. He reported he carries two tobacco flavored e- liquids and 95% of his sales came from flavored e-liquids. He explained the sampling of e-liquids was important to his business in order for adults to transition from cigarettes to electronic devices. He requested tobacco shops/e-cigarette shops be allowed to have an exemption from the Clean Air Act. He indicated he had not failed a compliance check in the past six years and noted he believed vape products were for adults