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September 10, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 4 Mayor Webster appreciated Councilmember Randle’s perspective. Councilmember Randle stated parents need to be involved in helping their children not start smoking. We can’t rely on everyone else to do our jobs for us. If there is common ground he would be in favor of that. He is open to finding a solution. Councilmember Doolan stated she took a class at the University of Minnesota in American History. She reviewed some of her learnings. The presenters are making the Council aware of intentional marketing to youth. Councilmember Elnagdy asked some questions about the data. Are they wanting to ban the sale of vapes and menthol. Ms. Engman stated they cannot target specific products. Councilmember Elnagdy asked if any surrounding cities have banned the sale and Ms. Engman stated Arden Hills, Lauderdale, Lilydale, Mendota Heights, Edina, Bloomington, Richfield, and Golden Valley have banned the sale. Councilmember Jenson asked if those cities still sell vaping products and Ms. Engman stated they do. No one can enter the store unless they are over 21. Councilmember Elnagdy stated Roseville has restricted it and only has it in their 4 tobacco stores. Councilmember Doolan stated a retailer was selling it and now is not allowed to sell it in those cities. Ms. Engman stated they were given a year notice that as of January 1, 2027 they no longer can sell. Councilmember Doolan referred to the impact to a child’s developing brain. Isn’t there also a significant impact to a child’s lungs. Ms. Engman stated the lungs are affected along with the entire building. Ms. Schmidtke stated there are over 25 cancer-causing chemicals that have been found in vape e- liquids. Councilmember Elnagdy asked about recommendations and in a perfect world all the best practices would be followed. St. Anthony is below the State minimum. What is the median. She stated Falcon Heights for 2nd offense has $750 fine and the license is lost for two years. Councilmember Jenson asked if vaping products can be purchased on Amazon. Ms. Engman stated it is a small market because you can’t ship it. Ms. Schmidtke stated there are online sales but the data shows young people are getting their products from vape shops. Councilmember Elnagdy asked what happened in the year and the dive in 2021 that was taken in compliance. Ms. Engman stated St. Anthony has a few number of retailers so if there were two incidents it would show as a larger percentage out of compliance. St. Anthony only has three retailers. Councilmember Doolan asked if one offense is one sale to a minor one time. Ms. Engman stated if the store sells to a minor that is an offense. The time period is 36 months. Another example of an offense is a store selling flavors, which were illegal products. Are the 5 tobacco retailers in St. Anthony only tobacco retailers or do they sell other merchandise. Ms. Engman stated they have other merchandise. Councilmember Doolan asked if there are any repercussions where adults purchase for minors. The fines go to the business not the clerk that sold the product. Ms. Engman will research State Law to see if there is a fine for “social host”., Mayor Webster stated St. Anthony needs to update their penalties to the State guidelines. Council needs to discuss if there is interest in capping the number of tobacco licenses, restricting coupons, and ban the selling of flavored tobacco.