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products high to discourage availability to youth. For more information, here is a <br />publication by the Public Health Law Center, “Death on a Discount.” <br />Set a minimum price and package size. Setting a minimum price for tobacco products <br />is an effective public health policy. Establishing a minimum price helps discourage youth <br />smoking and reduces overall tobacco consumption. To complement this, setting <br />standardized package sizes is important. This ensures pricing consistency and prevents <br />manufacturers from circumventing minimum price rules through smaller, more <br />affordable pack sizes. The proposed minimum prices are based on research of current <br />averages prices and the minimum price ordinance in neighboring Minneapolis. The <br />additional revenue when setting a minimum price, will be held by the retailer. <br />Prohibiting coupons and price discounts further strengthens the impact of minimum <br />pricing. This policy removes incentives for price-sensitive consumers to access tobacco <br />products. Importantly, the policy allows for periodic price adjustments aligned with the <br />consumer price index, maintaining the real-world value of the minimum price over time. <br />Collectively, these measures create a comprehensive tobacco pricing policy that <br />discourages use, especially among youth, while accounting for economic and market <br />factors. This multifaceted approach is an evidence-based strategy to improve public <br />health outcomes. <br />Align and increase penalties. Increasing penalties for violations is also an effective <br />enforcement mechanism. Minn. Stat. § 461.12 Subd. 2 establishes a minimum fine <br />schedule for underage sales and other ordinance violations of state law by licensed <br />tobacco retailers as follows: <br />●First Violation: $300 fine <br />●Second Violation (within 36 months): $600 fine <br />●Third or Subsequent Violation (within 36 months): $1,000 fine <br />For a third or subsequent violation within 36 months of the first violation, state law <br />mandates a suspension of at least seven days and permits license revocation. <br />Jurisdictions may impose stronger penalties for licensee violations. <br />If the council were to look at higher amounts beyond state minimum, neighboring <br />jurisdictions have a violation structure similar to what is listed below. This structure can <br />further enhance these penalties to deter non-compliance: <br />●First Violation: $1,000 fine <br />8