2019.05.28 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 14, 2019 Page 5 of 11 only. He discussed how his business would be impacted if the City were to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco sales in New Brighton. He stated if a flavor ban were approved, this would force his customers to spend their money in another community and would force him to close up shop. Mayor Johnson questioned what portion of Mr. Wolf’s sales were for individuals 18 to 21 years of age. Mr. Wolf stated this was a small portion of his business. A resident living at 1570 Hillview Road in Shoreview, stated he would lose his job at Midwest Vapers if the flavor ban were passed. He explained he was not against raising the age of tobacco/e-cigarette use to 21 but requested the City allow the sale of flavored e-liquids in New Brighton. Another resident living on 1570 Hillview Road in Shoreview, explained her child began purchasing his vaping products online. She commented she was thankful for the local vape shop because her son was able to reduce his nicotine use. She indicated her sibling has almost completely quit using tobacco products by vaping. She discussed a study from Forbes that proves 3.2 million smokers have quit because of vaping. She discussed the THC products that were now available and stated she would like to see local law enforcement restricting use of vapes in schools. Natalia Amandaraz, 2508 14th Street, stated she has worked at the New Brighton BP store for the past two and a half years and was now the assistant manager. She explained she feared how BP would be impacted by the proposed T21 Ordinance. She reported BP was very responsible in carding for all tobacco sales to ensure tobacco was not getting into the hands of minors. She commented she supported raising the age to 21 but believed eliminating flavored tobacco from the City was taking it a step too far. She anticipated her job would be in jeopardy if the City were to approve a flavor ban. She encouraged the City to reconsider the proposed Ordinance. Jamie Rannem, 2280 Silver Lane NW, explained she was the manager of BP in New Brighton. She stated she had a petition with almost 300 signatures saying her customers do not want the flavor ban to go into effect. She noted she supported the purchase age being increased to 21 and understood this change was coming from the State. She explained her business will be harmed if the flavor ban were passed and noted she would lose a large number of customers. She presented the Council with the petition. Bianca Moberg, 651 Driftwood Court, stated she was 18 and noted she did not wait until she was 18 to smoke her first cigarette. She commented she did not see the point in the proposed Ordinance because people would make up their own mind when it comes to tobacco use. She believed that once people turned 18, they were free to make their own decisions and to make their own mistakes. Kate, 2871 14th Street NW, reported she was an 8th grader at High View Middle School. She noted her stepbrother began smoking at the age of 14 after receiving tobacco products from an adult in his neighborhood. She noted her stepbrother has significant health issues because of his early tobacco use. She encouraged the Council to support the Tobacco 21 Ordinance in order to keep another New Brighton family from having to go through what her family has gone through. She stated research shows that young people are more likely to begin using vapes than cigarettes and commented on how addictive vaping was. She stated the majority of kids using vapes used flavored nicotine products. She commented on the advocacy efforts she has had through her Girl Scouts Troop and encouraged the Council to support the Tobacco 21 Ordinance in order to keep flavored tobacco products from young children. Gene Nichols, 5910 David Court in Shoreview, stated he was before the Council on behalf of the African American Leadership Forum in the Twin Cities. He presented the City Council with a copy of the County’s ordinances regarding tobacco. He explained the African American Leadership Forum wanted to address the use of flavored tobacco, menthol in particular, in order to improve the health of African Americans, and all people in the metro area. He stated in 2015 through 2017 a study was completed to investigate the impact of menthol tobacco on the African American community. He reported 84% of African American smokers in the metro area smoke menthol tobacco and also found that menthol tobacco was harder to quit. He explained the tobacco industry has been targeting his community for decades by handing out Newport’s in black neighborhoods. He stated now, many members of his community cannot quit smoking even if they want to quit. He explained the City Council has the opportunity to deal with an issue that would have a profound effect on the African American community. He commented the long-term impacts of this Ordinance would far outweigh the short-term disruptions to businesses. He noted his brother began smoking at the age of 15 and died from COPD over a year ago. He thanked the Council for considering such an important policy in