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Mr. Donald Pauley <br />November 16, 1989 <br />Page 2 <br />in addition, a new law went into effect this past summer that <br />increases the penalty for selling cigarettes to minors. The new <br />penalty makes the sale of cigarettes to minors a gross misdemeanor <br />which requires a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to <br />$3,000.00. The Coalition believes that this increased penalty in <br />addition to requiring supervision of cigarette vending machines <br />should minimize the possibility that minors purchase cigarettes <br />through vending machines. <br />Also, it is a common misconception that it is unlawful for a <br />minor to purchase cigarettes in Minnesota. To clarify this issue, <br />it is unlawful for minors to smoke cigarettes and illegal to sell <br />cigarettes to minors. However, it is not unlawful for a person <br />under the age of 18 to buy cigarettes. If it proceeds with an <br />ordinance, the city council may want to consider establishing a <br />penalty in the form of a fine for minors that purchase cigarettes. <br />This kind of penalty should deter minors from purchasing cigarettes <br />by making them accountable for their own actions. <br />A representative of the Coalition may appear at the council <br />meeting scheduled for Monday, November 20, 1989. Please feel free <br />to contact me if you have any questions. <br />Very truly yours, <br />OLSEN, SNELLING 8 CHRISTENSrN, P.A. <br />Thomas A. Briant <br />Attorney at Law <br />TAB/dm <br />Enclosures <br />cc: Coalition for Responsible Vending Sales <br />