WHEREAS, Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death, disability and disease in the United States, linked to heart disease, stroke and other chronic lung diseases including lung cancer. For every smoking-related death there are at least 30 people living with a serious smoking-related illness. If smoking continues at the current rate among U.S. youth, 5.6 million of Americans younger than 18 are expected to die prematurely from smoking; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco kills over 6,300 people annually in Minnesota. One in seven Hennepin County deaths are tobacco related and costs Hennepin County $585 million annually; and
WHEREAS, Nineteen percent of suburban Hennepin County 11th grade students used tobacco. Statewide, tobacco use among high school students has increased to 26%, driven largely by a 49% increase in e-cigarette use; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 90% of smokers begin smoking before reaching 18 years of age, and almost no one starts smoking after age 25. Studies show that youth and young adults are especially susceptible to tobacco product availability, advertising and price promotions at tobacco retail environments; and
WHEREAS, The National Academy of Medicine report predicts that increasing the sales age for tobacco to 21 years of age will reduce smoking initiation by 25% among 15-17 year olds; and
WHEREAS, Menthol and other flavored products appeal to young people. Thirty percent of suburban Hennepin County 11th graders who use tobacco use menthol tobacco and 42 percent use other flavored tobacco. Marketing analysis, public health research, and tobacco industry documents reveal that tobacco companies have used menthol, mint, fruit, candy, and alcohol flavors as a way to attract youth and young adults and that the presence of such flavors can make it more difficult to quit; and
WHEREAS, Restrictions on flavored products in other cities have resulted in significant declines in the sale of flavored products; the odds of teens ever trying flavored products; and the odds of teens using any tobacco products. Based on earlier studies and conservative scenarios to estimate the impact of a menthol ban, it is expected that a 10% quit rate among menthol smokers would prevent over 4,000 smoking attributable deaths in the first ten years and 300,000 in forty years. Nearly one-third, or almost 100,000, of the deaths averted are among African Americans; and
WHEREAS, Raising the price of tobacco products is one of the most effective strategies for preventing and reducing tobacco use. A 10% increase in little cigar price was associated with a 25% decrease in little cigar sales in convenience stores; and
WHEREAS, Studies indicate that youth access tobacco through other youth working in retail stores and that high school age clerks contribute to illegal sales. The age of clerk is a primary reason for youth being able to purchase or steal tobacco; and
WHEREAS, On April 1, 2019, all cities in the county that do not currently license and regulate tobacco sales were provided notice electronically of the proposed amendments. 11. On April 2, 2019, all tobacco retailers currently licensed pursuant to Ordinance 21 were mailed notice of the proposed amendments; and
WHEREAS, On April 16, 2019 two information sessions on the proposed amendments were held in the cities of Mound and Rogers. These information sessions were open to members of the public. Nineteen individuals attended; and
WHEREAS, On June 11, 2019, a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendments was held; and
WHEREAS, Therefore, the Board finds it appropriate to regulate tobacco sales to protect youth and young adults against the serious health effects associated with tobacco use and initiation.