03-09-2026 - Agenda Packet City Council - work session

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Sources: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Cost of Smoking Report, MDH Vital Statistics, CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Minnesota Student Survey, and U.S. Census Population Estimates Want to know more about the burden of tobacco in Minnesota? Visit www.health.mn.gov/tobacco.? Hennepin County Commercial Tobacco Profile April 2025 How the tobacco industry targets communities • Using fruit, candy, menthol, and other flavors, as well as eye-catching packaging, to attract new users. • Marketing products on social media and through influencers and event sponsorships • Designing products with extreme concentrations of nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development and mental health as teens grow. • Selling products near places youth frequent, like convenience stores, schools, community centers, libraries, and parks. • Promoting products in ways that are easily visible to children, like on store countertops and within three feet of the floor and near candy displays. • Keeping prices low by offering coupons, buy- one-get-one deals, and other discounts. sold single cigarillos sold e-cigarettes in more than 10 flavors sold menthol cigarettes sold flavored commercial tobacco 2FOR1 MENTHOL 7 in 8 5 in 6 3 in 4 3 in 5 Among retailers assessed in Hennepin County 3 in 7 sold commercial tobacco at discount prices Local action for effective commercial tobacco prevention The Minnesota Department of Health supports community driven solutions to prevent youth from starting and to help people quit. Minnesota communities are working to: • Raise the minimum tobacco sales age to 21 and remove purchase, use and possession penalties. • Restrict the sale of menthol and flavored products. • Increase product prices. • Provide free support to quit. • Promote smoke- and commercial-tobacco-free environments. • Engage youth as essential partners. 81