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STOP SALES TO MINORS Stop Sales to Minors is a training designed to help retailers comply with laws about selling commercial tobacco, e-cigarettes, tobacco-related devices, cannabis, low-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products in Minnesota. There are two versions of this training: The tobacco training covers state and federal laws about the sale of commercial tobacco and nicotine products in Minnesota. It takes about one hour to complete and requires a score of at least 20 out of 25 questions answered correctly to receive a certificate of completion. The certificate will be emailed to the email address provided by the retailer at registration. The cannabis training covers Minnesota laws about the sale of cannabis, low-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products. It takes about one hour to complete and requires a score of at least 18 out of 22 questions answered correctly to receive a certificate of completion. The certificate will be emailed to the email address provided by the retailer at registration. Access the FREE Training Factsheet (PDF) The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota originally created this training in 2016, and updated subsequently in 2020 and 2026. The Public Health Law Center and the Minnesota Department of Human Services-Behavioral Health Division assisted with development of this training. The cannabis retailer training was added in 2026. The City of Minneapolis Health Department CSUP funded and assisted in the development of the cannabis retailer training. For any questions on the training, or if you are a licensing authority looking for a list of tobacco retailers in your area that have passed the training, please contact Katie Engman at katie@ansrmn.org . Additional Resources FDA Tobacco Compliance Webinars This is Our Watch : FDA's program to help retailers comply with federal regulations Order This is Our Watch materials Congratulate & Educate - 2026 Compliance Checks Toolkit : Learn about age-verification compliance checks

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF COMMERCIAL TOBACCO Commercial tobacco products like cigarettes and e-cigarettes have a substantial impact on our environment. These products contribute to the litter problem, with cigarettes being the most littered product in the US and e-cigarettes contributing to the single-use plastic problem and electronic waste. Throughout their life cycle, commercial tobacco products contribute to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, litter, single-use plastic waste and electronic waste, threatening our planet and our people. Environmental Impact of Commercial Tobacco Toolkit Environmental Impact of Commercial Tobacco Factsheet Paragraph Download the PDF Hazardous Waste Disposal Factsheet Paragraph Download the Fact Sheet Youth E-Cigarette Environmental Graphic Paragraph Download the Graphic Additional Environmental Resources Download Resources Environmental Impacts Lesson Plan Download Lesson Plan Disposable Vapes Factsheet Download the PDF Additional Materials Available Upon Request Environmental Impacts and Hazardous Waste Presentation Examples of Letters of Support Letters to the Editors on the Environmental Impacts Request Materials Tobacco - Threat to our Environment (WHO SEARO)

The Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota's mission is to reduce harm from commercial tobacco and other drugs Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota Click for more info Our Core Commitments: To protect young Minnesotans from a lifetime of addiction; To ensure that all Minnesotans can breathe clean, smoke-free air everywhere; and Reduce health inequities and other disparities in relation to commercial tobacco, nicotine and other drugs. The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota is a membership organization. Become an ANSR member to support our continued efforts. Donate Donate Our experienced staff are dedicated to protecting Minnesotans from the harms of commercial tobacco, nicotine and other drugs. Our Team Our Team Mission ANSR is dedicated to reducing the human and economic costs of commercial tobacco use in Minnesota. Learn more about our mission here. Mission Live Smoke Free LEARN MORE Prevention Programs LEARN MORE Policy Initiatives LEARN MORE Minnesota History LEARN MORE LATEST NEWS Let's Knock Tobacco Out of the Park in Minneapolis! Great news! Our effort to Knock Tobacco Out of the Park (KTOOP) in Minneapolis is officially moving forward! The proposed ordinance would close an important gap in existing smoke-free policies by prohibiting the use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products like nicotine pouches, at Minneapolis sports venues -- including Target Field, Target Center, and U.S. Bank Stadium. The policy would apply to everyone at these venues, from players an Oct 16 Minneapolis Commercial Tobacco Store Survey Results In March 2026, the Minneapolis Health Department and the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota conducted a survey of commercial tobacco retailers in Minneapolis. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the impact of changes in 2024 and 2025 to the Minneapolis City Tobacco Dealer Ordinance (Title 13, Chapter 281). These changes include: Setting a minimum price for cigarettes at $15.00 per pack. Setting a minimum price for cigars at $3.75 for 1 and $15.00 for a package of 4. S Jun 29 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 highl Apr 30 1 2 3 4 5 Get Involved TODAY! Protecting the next generation from the harms of commercial tobacco starts with community members like you! Sign Up POLICY ISSUES Flavored Tobacco MN Flavor Policy Map Menthol Tobacco Electronic Cigarettes Tobacco Price Discounting Environmental Impact Tobacco-Free Spaces Tobacco 21 RESOURCES MPRC Tobacco 101 Stop Sales To Minors Free Signage Retailer Compliance Project WATCH Smoke-Free Housing Tools for Schools Toolkit

Great news! Our effort to Knock Tobacco Out of the Park (KTOOP) in Minneapolis is officially moving forward! The proposed ordinance would close an important gap in existing smoke-free policies by prohibiting the use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products like nicotine pouches, at Minneapolis sports venues -- including Target Field, Target Center, and U.S. Bank Stadium. The policy would apply to everyone at these venues, from players and coaches to employees and fans. It’s about more than sports. Professional athletes are role models for young people, and tobacco use in sports can send the wrong message about addictive nicotine products. This policy would help break the link between baseball and tobacco and set a healthier example for the next generation. More than half of MLB stadiums (18 of 30) are already tobacco-free because of state and local laws. It’s time for Minneapolis to step up to the plate! Thank you to all the partners who signed our letter of support. More than 30 local, state, and national health and youth-serving organizations are behind this effort, and that broad support will be important as we move ahead. Here are the latest updates: Official introduction: The proposal was introduced at the City Council on October 15 and referred to the Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee. Ordinance development: Draft ordinance language is in development, and city staff are preparing for the next steps. Council engagement: We are starting to meet with committee members to discuss the proposal and confirm support. What’s next: Once we have more information about the committee timeline and hearing schedule, we’ll let you know. What to do now: Please take a few minutes to review the materials below and start thinking about your personal connections to City Council members, particularly those serving on the Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee. Resources Letter of support Minneapolis KTOOP one-pager National KTOOP news and resources: https://tobaccofreebaseball.org/ Grassroots engagement will be key to getting this across home plate. Thank you for being part of this effort!

In March 2026, the Minneapolis Health Department and the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota conducted a survey of commercial tobacco retailers in Minneapolis. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the impact of changes in 2024 and 2025 to the Minneapolis City Tobacco Dealer Ordinance (Title 13, Chapter 281). These changes include: Setting a minimum price for cigarettes at $15.00 per pack. Setting a minimum price for cigars at $3.75 for 1 and $15.00 for a package of 4. Setting a minimum price for vapes/e-cigarettes at $25.00 Prohibition of the use of coupons for commercial tobacco products. Survey questions were designed to obtain information about: whether retailers felt they received adequate information about the policy changes, whether they understood the policy changes, whether they believed other commercial tobacco stores were following the policy changes, impacts on customer behavior, and resources that would be helpful when policy changes are made. A QR code with a link to an online survey was distributed via email and postcard to 289 commercial tobacco license holders in Minneapolis. A total of 33 responses were received (11.4% response rate). Most of the respondents identified as store owners (94%) from small businesses (90%). A majority of respondents (79%) reported that they were provided information about the commercial tobacco policy changes in Minneapolis (those that reported they ‘agreed’ or ‘somewhat agreed’). A majority of respondents (76%) reported that they understood the commercial tobacco policy changes in Minneapolis (those that reported they ‘agreed’ or ‘somewhat agreed’). About a third of respondents (27%) reported that they believed other commercial tobacco product shops were following the new policies (those that reported they ‘agreed’ or ‘somewhat agreed’) and about 20% reported that they did not believe that other commercial tobacco product shops were following the new policies (those that reported ‘somewhat disagree’ and ‘disagree’). A majority of respondents (66%) reported that customers were aware of the commercial tobacco policy changes (those that reported they ‘agreed’ or ‘somewhat agreed’), while 21% reported that customers were not aware of the changes (those that reported ‘somewhat disagree’ and ‘disagree’). About a third of respondents (33%) reported that customers had reduced the amount of commercial tobacco products they were purchasing since the policy changes, while the same amount (33%) reported no change in customer buying patterns since the changes. Participants noted that they would like additional resources from the City of Minneapolis to increase customer awareness about the policy change and to demonstrate that the resulting higher prices were because of city policies, and not the choice of the individual store. Although several respondents commented that they were frustrated with the City of Minneapolis setting high prices for commercial tobacco products, they also noted that they understood the public health rationale for the policy change with comments such as, “I understand that the council felt this would help slow tobacco use.” Respondents also noted that policy changes at the state level would be more impactful, as they believed this would make customers be less likely to go to another jurisdiction to purchase commercial tobacco products.

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.