Minnesota Students and Educators Call for Flavored Tobacco Sales Ban

On March 21, 2023, according to a report from the American News Agency, students and faculty members in Minnesota (hereinafter referred to as "the state") are urging state lawmakers to take swift action to ban all flavored tobacco sales.

Last week, around 250 young people, parents and advocates from Minnesota gathered at the Capitol for "Smoke-Free Generation's Day" to urge state legislators to take action and cease the sale of all flavored tobacco.

Despite ongoing efforts by students and schools to combat interference, the progress of a bill (SF2123/HF2177) aimed at stopping the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including mint cigarettes, flavored cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah, and smokeless tobacco, has stalled in Minnesota.

During the press conference, students and school staff shared the current state of teenage tobacco use, highlighting that tobacco use in Minnesota's schools is still a significant issue that cannot be ignored.

Bethlehem Yewhalawork, project manager at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, stated, "We are urging legislators to focus on one of the primary issues that affect the health of our children: tobacco use.

She thanked the main sponsors of the bill, Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion and Representative Ethan Cha, as well as supporters from both parties.

She emphasized that the flavored tobacco bill will prevent youth addiction and alleviate the phenomenon of middle and high school students in Minnesota becoming addicted to flavored tobacco across various regions.

According to a survey conducted in 2022 among students in Minnesota, more than 75% of students in the 8th and 11th grades who use tobacco reported using flavored tobacco products.

Da'kwon Eppolite, a student at Lourdes High School in Rochester, Minnesota, believes that tobacco companies are targeting him and his friends in an effort to get them addicted and make money, which he feels is unfair. He also notes that these companies are now marketing flavored products such as grape, bubblegum, chocolate, and mint, which he believes is the last thing they need - an industry targeting them with expensive and incredibly harmful products.

Minnesota is a long-standing leader in tobacco prevention policies, with 28 regions in the state implementing ordinances that restrict the sale of flavored and menthol tobacco products.

In January 2023, a public opinion survey revealed that 70% of Minnesota residents are concerned about the use of electronic cigarettes, smoking, and other tobacco products by youth in the state. The survey also found that 62% of residents support the proposal to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in Minnesota, including fruit, mint, and candy flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, flavored hookah, and flavored chewing tobacco. There were 33% of residents who opposed this policy.

According to 2FIRSTS, the city of Edina, Minnesota has implemented an ordinance banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored tobacco products. Reynolds American Inc. had previously requested that the Supreme Court overturn this ban, but their appeal was denied.

Further reading:

Renault loses flavor ban lawsuit again, US appeals court upholds Minnesota's flavor ban.

References:

E-Cigarettes Minnesota students and educators are urging lawmakers to take action against flavored e-cigarettes. The appeal comes amidst concerns of a nationwide vaping epidemic among young people. Flavored e-cigarettes, which often contain high levels of nicotine, have been linked to respiratory problems and other serious health issues. Students and educators are calling for stricter regulations on such products, including a ban on advertising and a minimum age requirement for purchasing them. They hope that their efforts will lead to a safer and healthier future for the youth of Minnesota.

Original text of HF 2177 bill.