Toolkit cover page. Teal border around a white rectangle. Large, orange text reads: "Tools for Schools." In the bottom right corner, a cartoon hand holding a megaphone. At the bottom, "Association for Nonsmokers-MN."

With funding from the Minnesota Department of Health, ANSR created a new ‘Tools for Schools’ toolkit to help school staff prevent commercial tobacco and nicotine use among students. It contains a wealth of evidence-based prevention strategies for schools and includes:  tools for youth education, engagement, and advocacy; lesson plans from ANSR’s Tobacco 101 curriculum; lists […]

A group of 23 people wearing pink shirts smiling and posing in front of the Richfield Municipal Center.

On August 8, 2023, the Richfield City Council voted 3-0 to pass an ordinance that prohibits the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol, and caps the number of tobacco licenses at four. It is the 11th city or county in Minnesota to completely ban flavors, following closely behind its neighbors Bloomington and […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 (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 […]

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, […]

With the youth of Minnesota in the midst of a vaping epidemic and severe lung damage a hot topic across the country, the Golden Valley City Council let the tobacco industry know where it stands in the fight to protect youth from the harms of tobacco. The City Council voted unanimously Oct. 15 on a […]

Youth Vaping Prevention The Association for Nonsmokers-MN (ANSR) is seeking applicants for a funding opportunity to work on tobacco prevention, including vaping, and advocacy. Youth groups are wanted to partner with us to train youth to become leaders and advocates in prevention. Training: ANSR will provide training and materials free of charge to youth groups […]