The Tobacco 21 movement continues to gain ground in Minnesota as New Brighton became the latest community to pass the measure. The New Brighton city council voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance.
New Brighton is the 36th community in Minnesota to raise the tobacco sales age to 21. Edina, Saint Louis Park, Bloomington, Plymouth, North Mankato, Falcon Heights, Shoreview, Minneapolis, Saint Peter, Richfield, Roseville, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Lauderdale, Hermantown, Brooklyn Center, Mendota Heights, Otter Tail, Pope, Beltrami, Isanti, Olmsted and Wilkin Counties, Eden Prairie, Waseca, Duluth, North Oaks, Bemidji, Robbinsdale, Albert Lea, Arden Hills, Austin, Little Canada, Lilydale and Mankato. Wilkin County passed Tobacco 21 earlier in the day.
“New Brighton should be commended for taking this measure aimed at helping young people never start the deadly habit of tobacco use in the first place,” Katie Engman, Program Director for the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, said.
“When I get to high school, I don’t want to see my friends and classmates vaping,” said Annika Fabian, a High View Middle School student during testimony in May. “I don’t want to feel pressured to try it. Tobacco 21 will help keep my generation from getting addicted.”