Plymouth City Council ends the sale of flavored tobacco

Councilmembers vote to protect youth and join over 30 other Minnesota communities that have limited the sale of flavored tobacco.

Plymouth, Minn. (April 29, 2026) – The Plymouth City Council voted to pass sweeping changes to the Plymouth City Code that includes ending the sale of flavored tobacco within city limits. The city council put the health and wellbeing of youth first, recognizing that flavors hook kids and strong local policies are necessary to remove access to highly addictive substances like tobacco and nicotine. 

Plymouth joins over 30 other Minnesota communities that have restricted the sale of flavored tobacco, and 30.4% of Minnesotans already live in communities that have taken action to pass policies that limit the sale of flavored tobacco. The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota and local advocates applaud the Plymouth City Council for their support and protection of Plymouth youth.

“As a business owner myself, I know what it’s like to have regulations change, and I understand this has an impact. As a policymaker, I have to look at the impact as an entire population, as an entire city,” said Plymouth councilmember Joel Spoonheim during the city council meeting on April 28. “Nicotine is addictive – it increases mental health issues like anxiety and depression, especially when introduced to young people before the age of 25. Right now, this is one issue where we can be part of the solution in the region, and as the seventh largest Minnesota city, I do feel it’s our responsibility to make the best decisions we can.” 

“When I view this ordinance, I have to balance out the side of me that wants to be very pro-business with that of public health,” said Plymouth councilmember Kimberly Nelson during the city council meeting on April 28. “We’re talking about nicotine and tobacco being the number one preventable public health problem in America — which is also leading to massive health care costs. As much as I take a lot of pride in Plymouth being a city that is business-friendly, we also have to make sure that we’re staying one of the healthiest cities.”

Tobacco use remains the number one killer in Minnesota, claiming nearly 6,000 lives and costing Minnesotans over $4.7 billion in excess healthcare costs every year. The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting kids with candy-like flavors and misleading marketing to build a customer base of lifelong users. Nearly 14% of Minnesota high school students reported using e-cigarettes during the past 30 days, and 76% of Minnesota students who have ever tried a commercial tobacco product started with a flavored one. National data show that about 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21. 

The Plymouth City Council first discussed potential amendments to the tobacco licensing ordinance at study sessions on Oct. 28, 2025, and Jan. 27, 2026. Following these discussions, staff prepared a draft ordinance incorporating council direction. A public hearing was held on April 13, 2026, following a required notice to all license holders in accordance with Minnesota State Statute 461.19. After the hearing, the council directed staff to return with the ordinance as presented for consideration of adoption at the April 28 meeting.

“Policies like the ones before you — ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, limiting retailer density and eliminating price promotions — prioritize the well-being of people over the profits of the tobacco industry,” said Dr. Lisa Mattson, Plymouth resident and president of Minnesota Medical Association, during the April 13 public hearing. “These policies will prevent youth initiation, support quitting and protect the health of all Plymouth residents.”

“For such dangerous items, tobacco products are far too attractive and far too attainable because of the profit-centered methods of the tobacco industry,” said Shivam Srivastava, Plymouth resident and sophomore at Breck School, during the April 13 public hearing. “Youth suffer the greatest consequences of these policies, and as a high schooler, I have seen and heard these stories firsthand. Restricting tobacco sellers and prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products is a crucial step in protecting Minnesotan youth, and a step that many cities across Minnesota have already taken.”

The sweeping package of Plymouth City Code changes includes revising tobacco product definitions, licensing, prohibited acts, penalties, severability and license fees including: 

• Prohibiting the sale of flavored products

• Setting the maximum number of new tobacco licenses at zero

• Establishing a 500-foot buffer from schools and youth-oriented park amenities for new licenses

• Eliminating couponing and price promotions

• Increasing the annual license fee

• Increasing administrative penalties for violations

• Updating ordinance language (purpose, definitions and severability)

Read the full City of Plymouth ordinance changes here.