The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday passed an amendment to the tobacco ordinance increasing the minimum per-pack price of cigarettes and other commercial tobacco products to $15.
The amendment, authored by LaTrisha Vetaw, council member of the city’s fourth ward, focuses on reducing health disparities and youth initiation of commercial tobacco products.
“These changes will protect youth and communities of color from tobacco industry targeting,” said Vetaw.
The increase is now under mayoral review, and AP reported that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to sign the measure in the next few days.
"Council Member Vetaw has been a tireless public health advocate in Minneapolis for years," said Frey. "This ordinance prioritizes the health and well-being of our residents, and I'm proud to stand alongside her in supporting its passage."
David Spross, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), told CSP that this would lead to a negative effect on the city’s convenience-store’s back bar and instead would profit illegal activity.
"Creating a $15 minimum price on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco will shift the sales of these products from responsible, licensed and regulated retailers to drastically expand an already existing illicit marketplace," he said.
The ordinance also includes ending price discounts and coupons for commercial tobacco products; increasing the penalties for licensees that violate city policy; and ending the sampling “loophole” for any new commercial tobacco products shop.
Retailers will be able to keep the extra money smokers pay for cigarettes and other commercial tobacco products affected by the new ordinance, including chewing tobacco, snuff and cigars. Not included in the new ordinance are tobacco vapes.
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