2019.05.28 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 14, 2019 Page 7 of 11 drive across the street to Roseville to get the tobacco products they wanted. He stated he fully supported raising the tobacco age to 21 but requested the City not approve a flavor ban as it would negatively impact his business. Councilmember Jacobsen asked what percentage of Mr. Schowalter’s business was from flavored tobacco. Mr. Schowalter estimated 25% of his business would be lost if he could not sell menthol cigarettes or flavored tobacco products. Davina, 5066 Rainbow Lane in Mounds View, stated she was a student at Concordia University in St. Paul. She reported even if there was a ban, she anticipated teens would still get their hands on tobacco related products. She noted she was part of the student center at Concordia and explained she would have a hard time supporting this type of legislation as it would put local shops out of business. Joseph Hensley, 1642 Hill View Road, stated he was the target demographic and noted he was an underage smoker. He noted he began smoking when he was 12 years old after getting cigarettes from his brother or took them from his mother. He explained he tried an e-cigarette when he was 17 and it was a lot better that cigarettes. He commented he was now 18 and could legally purchase e-cigarette products. He explained he had to drive from Mounds View to Shoreview in order to purchase the products he needed. He cautioned the City from banning the sale of flavored tobacco products as it was keeping people from smoking cigarettes. He stated it was within his right as an 18-year-old to purchase flavored tobacco products within the City. Rick Almandaraz, 2508 14th Street, thanked everyone for sharing their point of view. He stated he was a father and has never smoked. He commented he has three daughters, one that vapes. He explained smoking has been occurring for the past 8,000 years and this began without flavors. He reported the root of this problem was the lack of supervision and not because there were flavored tobacco products available. He anticipated that the City could move forward and ban products, but feared this would take away people’s freedom of choice. Al Norse, 5991 Dellwood in Shoreview, stated he managed the Circle K in New Brighton. He commented as a father and grandfather he supported the proposed Ordinance. He explained as a business manager he supported the purchase age being increased to 21. He indicated kids are getting flavored tobacco products from somewhere else and not his store. He recommended the City not pass a flavor ban as this would impact too many local businesses and believed this was local government taking a step too far. Cappel O’Rourke, representative for a business coalition of manufacturers and retailers of e-cigarettes, posed several technical questions for the Council to consider. He asked if the City was considering the ban of sampling. He requested the Council amend the Ordinance language to not prohibit sampling. He commented sampling was critical for vaper shops. He discussed how e-cigarettes was assisting life-long smokers to quit. He encouraged the City of New Brighton to follow the lead of many other cities in the metro area and allow sampling in vaper stores, along with flavored tobacco products. Amanda Grace Hodinger, 5893 Royal Oaks Drive in Shoreview, stated she was a 10th grader in the Mounds View school district. She explained she has been involved in club sports since the age of 11 and commented on how easy it would be for her to gain access to e-cigarette products. She commented she knew many people that were age 18 and none that were 21. She stated the belief that vaping was cool in school was becoming a concern at her high school. She noted the bathrooms had to be locked because students were using them as a vaping lounge. She reported the tobacco industry was quite clever and the newest vaping devices looked like a flash drive. She indicated the tobacco industry was now selling vaping sweatshirts. She encouraged the City to pass a T21 Ordinance as this would eliminate the availability of flavored tobacco products in New Brighton and would save lives. Jim Hanley, 2150 Violet Lane, stated he has lived in the City since 1969. He reported he was a firefighter for the Minneapolis Fire Department for 37 years. He indicated he began smoking after sneaking cigarettes from his mom as a teen. He noted he has since quit. He reported he has been advocating for non-smoking for years and recommended the Council support the T21 Ordinance. Megan McFarlene, 5667 Eric Lane in Shoreview, stated she believed the health and well-being of children should be the priority over the health of local businesses. She explained she knew so many students who were quickly addicted to e-cigarettes and she wanted to see vaping products eliminated from New Brighton. She recommended the Council support the T21 Ordinance. Jess Nolan reported she was speaking on behalf of resident Lindsey Olson who was in the hospital. She read