Tobacco Industry Impact on the Environment
By Anna Grace Hottinger Whether you are at the playground, outside of the store, on the side of a trail, or in our lakes and waterways, there will likely be a cigarette butt. Rarely does a day go by without spotting one, or many. Beyond their unappealing look, they are dangerous to the health and […]
The Environmental Impacts of Vaping that the Tobacco Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
By Meghan McFarling Most people could probably assume that commercial tobacco products like cigarettes harm our environment. Cigarettes are commonly found littered on our streets, and the toxic chemicals and tobacco found in these products are seen leaking into our soil and waterways. Therefore, one might think e-cigarettes, or “vapes,” may be better for our […]
National Conference on Tobacco or Health – NCTOH
During the last week of June 2022, twelve ANSR staff, interns, and partners traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to share and learn at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH). NCTOH is the premier gathering of the United States tobacco control movement and this year’s conference had no shortage of ANSR’s leadership, innovation, and […]
ANSR Submits Public Comment on the FDA’s Proposal to Prohibit Menthol as a Characterizing Flavor in Cigarettes
July 1, 2022 Commissioner Robert M. Califf M.D. c/o Division of Dockets Management HFA-305 Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20825 Re: Proposed tobacco product standard eliminating menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes Docket No. FDA-2021-N-1349 Dear Commissioner Califf, On April 28, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]
Vaping Trends Among University of Minnesota College Students
In partnership with the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota (ANSR), three UMN undergraduate students working toward a minor degree in Leadership created and disseminated a survey about vaping trends and patterns on campus. These students promoted the survey through their own social media accounts on Instagram and Snapchat. As a convenience sample it is a snapshot that […]
Tobacco retailer assessment in Saint Paul indicates early success; Little Canada caps tobacco licenses
SAINT PAUL (6/13/2022) – Cents-off coupons and tobacco specials are a thing of the past under Saint Paul’s recently implemented commercial tobacco ordinance. An April survey found that all of Saint Paul’s tobacco retailers are complying with that part of the ordinance which went into effect on December 11, 2021. The ordinance has multiple provisions […]
Saint Paul passes most comprehensive commercial tobacco ordinance in the United States
SAINT PAUL (11/4/21) – On Wednesday, November 3, the Saint Paul City Council voted unanimously to prohibit the use of coupons and price promotions for commercial tobacco and vaping products. The measure is part of a comprehensive commercial tobacco ordinance that also sets a $10 minimum price for cigarette packs and standard-size cans of smokeless […]
Columbia Heights restricts sale of all flavored tobacco products, removes penalties on youth
City is 23rd Minnesota community to restrict sales of products Columbia Heights, Minn. (10/12/2021) – The Columbia Heights City Council took a major step on Monday night to protect the health of youth and all residents from the harms of tobacco. The City Council voted 4-0 to restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products, […]
Shoreview includes menthol in flavor restrictions
One of the first cities in the Twin Cities to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products, Shoreview strengthened that policy on May 17. The City Council voted unanimously to add menthol to its restriction on selling flavored tobacco products. Shoreview restricted the sale of flavored tobacco except menthol to 21-over tobacco shops in 2016. […]
FDA Moves to End the Sale of Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars
Removing menthol cigarettes from the marketplace will improve health disparities; local action and statewide funding still crucial Saint Paul – The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota (ANSR), the state’s oldest nonprofit dedicated solely to tobacco control, applauds the Biden Administration’s decision to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. While the decision is long overdue, […]