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September 10, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 5 <br />Councilmember Elnagdy asked, in banning the sale of flavored tobacco, would it be unfair to adults who <br />wish to use the products. She is in favor of restricting coupons and the number of tobacco licenses and <br />increasing the penalties. <br />Councilmember Randle agreed. <br />Councilmember Jenson stated he likes the idea of capping. If a gas station changes its name can it no <br />longer have a license. Ms. Schmidtke stated the model policy language does not allow the transfer of <br />license from an owner but a name change is not affected. He would be in favor of capping and looking a <br />way of restricting the sale of candy-flavored vaping products. He does not agree with telling another <br />adult they cannot purchase what they want. He is in favor of restricting coupons. <br />Councilmember Doolan stated cigarettes would still be sold. Penalties would apply to regular cigarettes. <br />Ms. Schmidtke stated that was pulled out with the T21 law. Councilmember Doolan stated she is in favor <br />of capping and restricting coupons. She asked if there should be a distinction on the type of product. <br />Ms. Engman stated all products need to be treated the same. <br />Councilmember Jenson asked if anything would be accomplished other than capping future retailers and <br />increasing the penalties. Councilmember Randle stated we can do the best we can. If we ban they will <br />get it from elsewhere. We should only be concerned in St. Anthony. Putting a cap on it is a good solution <br />at this time. The ultimate goal is to keep it out of the hands of youth. <br />Councilmember Elnagdy asked for other cities that have done this what are the current numbers. Ms. <br />Engman stated there has been an impact. <br />Councilmember Doolan asked when the St. Paul cap went from 235 to 25. Everything was capped last <br />December. Ongoing surveys will be done. <br />Councilmember Elnagdy asked if there is a downside if these three things are done. Ms. Engman stated <br />only if there was an open business and the City wanted tobacco to go in there. <br />Councilmember Doolan asked if any studies have been done on the loss of business after restrictions <br />were done. Ms. Engman stated she will provide and it can be provided to Council. <br />Councilmember Jenson stated he has known a number of heavy smokers over the years and they have <br />significant health problems. <br />Councilmember Randle asked if there have been issues in St. Anthony with tobacco products being sold <br />to youth. Mr. Yunker stated he does not recall how many have occurred. <br />Mayor Webster stated the consensus of the Council is to cap the number of licenses and restricting <br />coupons for the sale of tobacco products. The penalties need to be updated to align with State <br />guidelines. Mr. Yunker stated Katie and Molly have offered to do the work to get this before Council for <br />approval. Council needs to determine the penalty amounts and also what to do with the cap. The <br />consensus for cap is ZERO. The penalty amounts should be at the level of State recommendations. Any <br />higher amounts can be looked at later.