Title
Amending Chapter 324 of the Legislative Code in order to create separate licenses for Tobacco Products Shops and Tobacco Shops, to restrict pricing discounts or coupons, and to create a distance requirement between establishments licensed to sell tobacco.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Zoning Code has a separate use identified as a “Tobacco Products Shop”, St. Paul Leg. Code § 65.535; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 324 regulates tobacco licenses in general, but does not distinguish between or define a Tobacco Products Shop and a Tobacco Shop; and
WHEREAS, the Council wishes to distinguish between a retail store that that is accessible to minors and can sell limited products (Tobacco Shop) and a retail store that that can only be entered by persons who are age 21 or over that can sell additional types of products (Tobacco Products Shop); and
WHEREAS, a clearer definition will allow the City to more easily enforce existing regulations; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute § 609.685 regulates the sale of tobacco to persons under 21 imposing administrative, petty misdemeanor, and misdemeanor penalties and it is not necessary for a separate ordinance penalty; and
WHEREAS, price is the single most important factor in reducing smoking; and
WHEREAS, tobacco is a leading cause of premature, preventable death in Minnesota and high prices are the single most effective way of preventing youth from starting to smoke and encouraging adults to quit; and
WHEREAS, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco, contain nicotine, which is highly addictive; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s progress in reducing smoking among youth and adults is undermined by price discounts and price promotions and in 2018 the rate of tobacco used among youth increased for the first time in 17 years; and
WHEREAS, tobacco companies spent $9.1 billion in 2018 to lower the price of tobacco products by using s...
Click here for full text