2023.02.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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to $3 billion in excess health care expenses each year in the State of Minnesota. The marketing efforts for menthol were discussed and it was noted it was harder to quit menthol products. She reviewed data from the St. Anthony-New Brighton and the Mounds View School Districts from 2022 that showed students who had vaped in the past 30 days were using flavored products. She explained the best tobacco prevention practices would be to address price, flavors and age. She indicated the age concern was addressed when Tobacco 21 was passed. She reported some communities were restricting the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products. She commented on how discounts and coupons impact tobacco use. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if Ramsey County had taken any actions to address tobacco sales. Ms. Anderson explained the County was not able to regulate the sale of tobacco, but has passed resolutions of support. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested these resolutions be passed along to the City Council. Councilmember Allen commented on how the sale of THC products was in need of further regulation. Ms. Anderson discussed how some communities were putting a cap on the number of tobacco licenses. She commented on what other cities have done to cap the number of tobacco license holders. She explained through attrition and time, these communities were working to reduce the number of tobacco license holders in their communities. She reported another approach to address the number of tobacco licenses in a community would be to set limits on proximity or location of tobacco shops and to address the sign code. She summarized the best practices available to the City in order to address the appeal, access and affordability of tobacco. She explained the City could end the sale of flavored tobacco, limit the number of licensed tobacco retailers, set zoning standards for the proximity to youth oriented uses, address the City’s sign code, and address price discounting and coupons within the community. She commented on the benefits of addressing tobacco locally, noting prevention was key. Discussion ensued regarding the use of hookah in the community. Sylvia Ames, Association for Nonsmokers MN, discussed her history with tobacco noting she has never smoked. She explained her mother started smoking when she was 11 years old and died of lung cancer after smoking menthol cigarettes. She stated she understood how her community has been targeted and it was important for her to fight for change, in order to keep young people from tobacco use. Councilmember Allen asked how many teens were using cigarettes versus vapes. Ms. Anderson reported only 5% of teens were using combustible cigarettes. She stated this was a huge public health win, but noted the vaping epidemic was harming the next generation of tobacco users. She reported the threat with both products was the nicotine in these products. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented on how several of her family members have tried to quit smoking by switching to vapes and noted this has only escalated their use. She anticipated this was the intention of the tobacco industry. Ms. Anderson reported this was the case. She stated she did not want New Brighton to be known for its tobacco shops, just because the City allows them. She supported the City putting further regulations in place to address the number of tobacco licenses in the community. She commented on the investments the City was making to improve its parks and believed an effort to address the number of tobacco establishments in the community would align with the City’s vision. Councilmember Abdulle stated he concurred with many of the Mayor ’s comments. He explained he appreciated the presentation from ANSR and all of the data that was presented. He stated he was disappointed to learn how targeted the tobacco industry’s marketing efforts were on the black community. He believed