Minutes - 2019/08/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council August 26, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 3 rise of oral and esophageal cancer, these services were becoming more popular for youth as young as 13. She commented vaping was also causing lung damage and for this reason she recommended the Council support raising the tobacco age in Mounds View to 21. Tah Menkamu, 2401 LaPort Drive, reported he has raised three children in Mounds View. He stated he strongly supported this Ordinance. He explained he has struggled with peer pressure surrounding tobacco use, as have his children. He discussed research he had conducted regarding tobacco use and COPD. He indicated tobacco impacts human health and in Minnesota 6,300 people were killed each year from tobacco. He reported 95% of smokers begin before the age of 21 and noted 350 children under the age of 18 become regular smokers each day. He described how nicotine impacts the brain of young children with developing brains. He encouraged the Council to consider this a major public health issue and to pass the Tobacco 21 Ordinance. Dr. Steven Greer, Tria Orthopedics, introduced himself to the Council and noted he was the team physician for the Mounds View and Irondale athletes. He reported tobacco was the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Minnesota and kills over 6,000 people each year. He explained it was difficult for those addicted to nicotine to quit, which was why it was so important to keep youth from starting. He stated he was deeply concerned about the large number of youth vaping and discussed the chemicals found in vaping products. He explained the CDC was currently investigating over 90 cases of severe lung disease, of which four cases occurred in Minnesota. He reported vaping was not safe and the nicotine in vaping was as addictive as cocaine or heroin. He discussed how vulnerable youth were to nicotine addiction. He reported youth are not aware of the harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes and do not realize vapes contain nicotine. He recommended the Council to support the Tobacco 21 Ordinance as this will assist in protecting today’s youth. Emma Larson, 5420 Landmark Circle, explained she works at Apple Tree Dental in Mounds View. She stated she supported the City raising the tobacco age to 21. She commented on how tobacco impacts oral health and discussed how important tobacco prevention was. She noted both of her parents were smokers in their younger years. She reported vaping products were highly addictive and came in fun flavors. She stated she supported the tobacco 21 initiative in the City of Mounds View. Dave Piskorski, 7878 Woodlawn Drive, asked if the proposed Ordinance would mean people under the age of 21 could not purchase or possess nicotine products. Mayor Mueller reported this would be the case for residents of Mounds View. She explained by moving to the Tobacco 21 Ordinance the City can ensure the school properties and school grounds are tobacco free. Council Member Bergeron clarified this Ordinance addressed the sale of tobacco and does not address possession. City Attorney Riggs reported this was the case. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 6:56 p.m.