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January 23,2024 Page 4 of 7 zero,which meant through attrition over time,their goal would be to have zero tobacco retailers. She reported Golden Valley has set a cap of eight.She encouraged the City to think further than just setting a cap on tobacco only shops.While she understood this would reduce the number shops long term,tobacco would still be sold at other retailers throughout the community.She reported smoking was responsible for over 6,000 deaths in Minnesota each year and$9.4 billion in health care expenditures.She indicated the economic impact from smoking was staggering. She urged the City to pursue a multi-faceted approach for tobacco to ensure flavors,price,location,and age.She congratulated the City for its efforts and for moving forward with a Tobacco License Ordinance. Sylvia Amos, 1918 Thomas in Minneapolis,explained she served as the President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Minnesota State Baptist Convention Group for 10 years,and currently serve as a community organizer for the Association for Non-Smokers.She thanked the Council for taking a step to lessen the impact of commercial tobacco on the City.She reported there was still a lot of work to be done and encouraged the Council to take further action surrounding flavored and menthol tobacco.She stated tobacco costs the community a lot in terms of lies and money.She explained$4 billion was spent each year on smoking related diseases and death. She stated tobacco addiction cost her the life of her mother,her husband and the life of three aunts(all smoking menthol cigarettes). She noted her mother began smoking at the age of 11 and died from lung cancer.She reported the loss of life from menthol tobacco was greatly impacting her community and the tobacco industry has strategically and relentlessly targeted Black Americans with marketing.She noted their lives have been disregarded as casualties of corporate profit.She commented on how racism and racial disparity in every aspect of her life continues in the State of Minnesota.She believed improving health outcomes for her community would require leaders to tear down the racial and social systems that have kept the tobacco industry in charge.She explained when the issue impacts the lives of Black Americans,too many in power turn their hark,even when this is negatively imparting her community.She stated it was time to stop putting profits over lives and begin and putting lives above profits.She urged everyone to work together to protect the lives of all Minnesotans,which included ending the sale of all flavored and menthol tobacco. Carol Burg, 123 30th Avenue NW,stated she was on her 35th year living in New Brighton.She explained she was impressed by how the community showed up each and every year for National Night Out.She indicated she was a person who got involved with smoking,and had second smoke around her.She reported when people start smoking young,the effects can be felt later.She thanked the City for taking steps to keep people from smoking. Milian Wynn,freshman at Roseville Area High School,thanked the Council for doing this essential work in preventing addiction to tobacco with her friends.She commented on how the tobacco industry targets her age group to use flavored tobacco,vapes and hookah She stated by limiting the number of tobacco establishments in New Brighton the City was taking a crucial step to eliminate easy access to these products. She explained that less access to these products by youth,would mean it would be harder to start and easier to quit.She reiterated that tobacco flavors were the main concern for young people.She urged the Council to address the fruit and sweet flavored tobacco products.She noted there was a bill before the State that would end the sale of flavored tobacco through the State.She urged the City Council to sign onto this bill. Openda ,resident of New Brighton,explained she was pursuing a degree in nursing.She thanked the Council for taking the first step in capping tobacco licenses in New Brighton.She reported her peers and many other youth were imparted by the number of tobacco retailers in the community.She urged the Council to continue their efforts in tobacco prevention.She noted her community has been battling this issue for so long and she has been advocating for this issue since she was a sophomore in high school.She noted she sent an email to the Council with a video that showed how tobacco was impacting lives. Mayor Pro-Tem Dunsworth asked for additional comments, there were none. RMotion by Councilmember Axberg, seconded by Councilmember Abdulle to close the Public Hearing. 4 Ayes,0 Nays-Motion Carried