City of Minneapolis Proposes Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco

Ordinance Would Relegate Sales to Smoke Shops Only

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The city of Minneapolis has proposed a new ordinance that could change how business is done at stores where tobacco is sold.

It seeks to put sharp restrictions on the sale of products like e-cigarettes and flavored cigars.

If put into effect, the ordinance would only allow flavored tobacco sales at designated smoke shops.

It would also set higher minimum prices for these products.

Those in favor of a measure like this say putting limitations on flavored tobacco could prevent underage smokers from taking up the habit.

“Big tobacco is well-aware that fruity flavors and bright-colored packaging attracts,” said Jill Doberstein from the American Lung Association in Duluth. “They need to attract people when they’re young to have life-long addictions to these products.”

The smoke shops we talked to in the Twin Ports declined comments, but all confirmed that flavored tobacco products are popular with a number of their customers.

The City Council of Minneapolis is still waiting community input before taking action on the proposal.