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FLAVORED TOBACCO Nearly all commercial tobacco products come in a variety of candy, fruit, mint and novelty flavors. Flavored products are especially appealing to youth, who are much more likely to use flavored products than adults. Young people think flavored commercial tobacco products taste better and are safer than unflavored products, even though they are just as dangerous and addictive. Download Flavored Tobacco Factsheet Flavored Tobacco Factsheet Citations Oral nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, lozenges, and gums, have surged in popularity in recent years. Among these, nicotine pouches have quickly become the popular option, particularly among youth. 1 These pouches deliver nicotine discreetly, without smoke, spit or odor, making them an attractive choice for many users. Oral Nicotine Factsheet Oral Nicotine Factsheet Citations Flavored Tobacco at the Federal Level Due to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 , retailers can no longer sell cigarettes containing flavors other than menthol in the United States. However, other commercial tobacco products such as cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes/vapes, blunt wraps and shisha are still available in flavors such as bubble gum, mint, strawberry, grape and mango. These products help the tobacco industry get around the FDA’s 2009 ban of flavored cigarettes and attract more youth to their products. Most young people who use commercial tobacco products report using products that are flavored. The flavored e-cigarette market has changed dramatically in recent years. While brands such as JUUL dominated the market and ignited the youth use epidemic, JUUL and other similar brands have lost market share while under extreme scrutiny from the FDA. A 2020 nationwide ban of flavored “pods” marked the end of JUUL’s reign. Today the market is overrun with thousands of “disposable” vapes in myriad flavors with increasing amounts of nicotine. Brands like ElfBar (now EBCreates) and Loon are among the most popular brands among youth. They come in flavors like “Hawaii Punch,” “Blue Razz” and “Strawberry Lemonade”, underscoring the industry’s efforts to appeal to young people. While thousands of brands, varieties and flavors are available for sale in the United States, almost all flavored e-cigarettes on the U.S. market lack FDA authorization. Until 2024, no flavored e-cigarette device had received an FDA marketing order and only 23 unflavored (tobacco-flavored) vapes received approval. Unfortunately, in June 2024, the FDA approved four menthol e-cigarette products, including two pods and two “disposable” devices made by NJOY, a subsidiary of the tobacco giant Altria, the makers of Marlboro. Menthol Ban Fact Sheet This decision comes on the heels of several delays to the 2021 FDA proposal to ban menthol in cigarettes and all flavored cigars. A federal menthol ban would address public health disparities in commercial tobacco use created by the aggressive marketing of menthol products to African Americans, Indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ people and youth. The rule remains in limbo, and it is unclear when the FDA will complete its rulemaking process and issue its final rule. In the meantime, local leaders continue to work on local and statewide policies that end the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol. Policy Momentum in Minnesota State and local governments can adopt laws that restrict or prohibit the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products within their jurisdiction. Limiting the sale of products, setting minimum prices or creating a minimum pack size are some of the ways communities can protect their youth by making flavored commercial tobacco products less accessible and less appealing. In 2015 and 2016, Minneapolis and Saint Paul became the first cities in Minnesota to restrict fruit- and candy-flavored commercial tobacco products to adult-only stores and set a minimum price for cheap, flavored cigars. Minneapolis' ordinance passed on July 10, 2015, and Saint Paul's passed on January 6, 2016. A majority of Saint Paul residents supported the ordinance . In 2017, with support from the Minnesota Menthol Coalition, Minneapolis and Saint Paul added menthol to their flavored commercial tobacco restrictions. Fruit-, candy- and menthol-flavored tobacco products can only be sold in adult-only tobacco stores and liquor stores in the two cities. Since then, many other Minnesota cities have restricted or fully banned the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products. See below for an up-to-date map of flavored commercial tobacco restrictions and prohibitions in MN. The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners issued a resolution supporting restricting flavored commercial tobacco sales in Ramsey County in 2017. In partnership with Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health, ANSR evaluated flavor policies in Ramsey County cities in 2023 and found that flavor policies reduce youth access . ANSR is proud to be a member of the Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation (MSFG) coalition. One of the coalition's main policy priorities is to prohibit the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol, at the state level. The bills to end the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products in Minnesota (SF2123/HF2177) have made significant progress in the State Legislature in recent sessions. Visit the MSFG website to learn more about the coalition's statewide flavor policy work and access additional resources. Minnesota Flavor Policy Map As of April 2026, 14 Minnesota municipalities have prohibited the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol. 28 Minnesota cities have restricted or prohibited the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products in some manner. 8 Minnesota counties have restricted or prohibited the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products in some manner. 31.8% of Minnesotans are covered by a flavored tobacco policy *Click on the map to download as a PDF. 3 Facts to Know About Flavored Tobacco 1. The tobacco industry targets youth with flavored products to encourage addiction. Almost 90% of adults who smoke started smoking as teenagers. Candy- and fruit-flavored commercial tobacco products mask the harsh taste of tobacco and are shown to be attractive to youth. Many of these products are hard to distinguish from candy, gum and breath mints. As one industry official said in internal industry documents, “Flavored products would have appeal in the under-35 age group, especially in the 12-24 group.” 2. Flavored products may not taste like tobacco, but they are just as addictive and dangerous as other commercial tobacco products. Research shows that youth believe flavored commercial tobacco products are less dangerous and less addictive than unflavored tobacco. Commercial tobacco products contain nicotine, a highly-addictive substance known to be detrimental to adolescent brain development. Cigar smoke contains the same toxins as cigarette smoke. Smokeless tobacco causes oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. 3. An increasing number of young people are using flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol. From 2000 to 2014, menthol cigarette use by Minnesota high school students increased from 20% to 44%. By comparison, only 25% of Minnesota adults who smoke use menthol. A recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) survey found that nearly 13% of Minnesota kids use e-cigarettes, which come in kid-friendly flavors like gummy bear and cotton candy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 42% of students who smoke use flavored products. Once kids start using one commercial tobacco product, they are more likely to experiment with others.

The Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota's mission is to reduce harm from commercial tobacco and other drugs Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota 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 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 6 days ago Increased Store Compliance with Minimum Price and Price Discounting Policies in Minneapolis The Association for Nonsmokers – Minnesota and NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center conducted pre and post store assessments in Minneapolis to assess compliance with changes to the city’s tobacco ordinance in 2024 and 2025. A sample of commercial tobacco retailers were evaluated to measure store compliance with: May 2024 ordinance change (1) setting a minimum price per pack of cigarettes and other commercial tobacco products of $15.00 and (2) disallowing price discounts and Apr 17 Reducing the Burden of Menthol and Flavored Commercial Tobacco Products through Policy Change Grant Commercial tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death in Minnesota and across the United States. Among commercial tobacco products, menthol and other flavored commercial tobacco items pose a unique risk. These flavors attract young people, making it easier to start using tobacco and harder to quit. To address this, the Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota (ANSR) has launched a new initiative funded by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Reducing t Feb 25 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

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 From the Public Health Law Center, FDA and more. Download Resources Environmental Impacts Lesson Plan This is Chapter 9 of ANSR's Tobacco 101 curriculum. Download Lesson Plan 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)

PROJECT WATCH Project WATCH (Working Against Tobacco Companies' Harm) has been working to decrease commercial tobacco industry influence in Minnesota since 2010. The program is currently funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and was previously funded by Clearway MN. Project WATCH focuses on identifying and tracking commercial tobacco industry marketing tactics such as price promotions, contests, product launches and rebranding initiatives. This program also focuses on educating city, county, state and school decision-makers about commercial tobacco control best practices and providing technical assistance to commercial tobacco control partners across the state. Since 2010, Project WATCH has collected almost 10,000 commercial tobacco industry direct mail marketing pieces and more than 36,000 commercial tobacco industry emails. This information is presented locally and nationally through in-person presentations, conferences, webinars and a quarterly newsletter. Project results were also published in the peer-reviewed journal Tobacco Control. Resources Factsheets Restricting Youth Access PDF New Products Factsheet (2013) Point-of-Sale Policy Guides Cigarillos & Cigars: A Guide for Local Communities Updating Your Local Ordinance Hookah Factsheet Project WATCH Newsletters Project WATCH produces a regular newsletter, the Tobacco Marketing Update. Vol. 56, April 2026 Vol. 46, December 2021 Vol. 36, February 2016 Vol. 55, December 2025 Vol. 54, July 2025 Vol. 53, April 2025 Vol. 52, January 2025 Vol. 51, September 2024 Vol. 50, May 2024 Vol. 49, February 2024 Vol. 48, November 2022 Vol. 47, July 2022 Vol. 45, August 2021 Vol. 44, April 2021 Vol. 43, January 2021 Vol. 42, July 2019 Vol. 41, January 2019 Vol. 40, September 2018 Vol. 39, February 2018 Vol. 38, January 2017 Vol. 37, May 2016 Vol. 35, November 2015 Vol. 34, July 2015 Vol. 33, April 2015 Vol. 32, January 2015 Vol. 31, August 2014 Vol. 31, August 2014 Vol. 30, January 2014 Vol. 30, January 2014 Vol. 29, December 2013 Vol. 29, December 2013 Vol. 28, October 2013 Vol. 27, September 2013

ANSR is dedicated to reducing the human and economic costs of commercial tobacco, nicotine and other drug use in Minnesota. Our core commitments are: to protect young Minnesotans from a lifetime of addiction; to ensure that all Minnesotans can breathe clean, smoke-free air everywhere; and to reduce health inequities and other disparities in relation to commercial tobacco, nicotine and other drugs. OUR MISSION In 1975, ANSR helped pass the nation’s first comprehensive state clean indoor air legislation. Since then, ANSR has continued to play a leading role in shaping tobacco policy and has been involved in every major state-wide policy, such as the Freedom to Breathe Act in 2007 and raising the tobacco tax in 2013. ANSR helped Minneapolis and Saint Paul restrict the sales of flavored tobacco, including menthol, and also helped Edina become the first Minnesota city to raise the tobacco sales age to 21. Financial Documents 2024 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2024 Federal Form 990 Annual Reports 2024 Annual Report 2023 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2023 Federal Form 990 2023 Annual Report 2022 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2022 Federal Form 990 2022 Annual Report 2021 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2021 Federal Form 990 2021 Annual Report 2020 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2020 Federal Form 990 2020 Annual Report 2019 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2019 Federal Form 990 2019 Annual Report 2018 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2018 Federal Form 990 2018 Annual Report

STOP SALES TO MINORS Stop Sales to Minors is a tobacco retailer training designed to help tobacco retailers comply with Minnesota and federal laws that regulate the sale of commercial tobacco, e-cigarettes, and commercial tobacco-related devices. The training takes approximately one hour to complete and is divided into three sections. There are a total of 25 questions, and the retailer must correctly answer 17 questions to be awarded a certificate. The certificate will be emailed to the email address provided by the retailer at registration. The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota originally created this training in 2016 and updated it in 2020 after the Minnesota Legislature passed Tobacco 21, raising the tobacco sales age to 21. The Public Health Law Center and the Minnesota Department of Human Services-Behavioral Health Division assisted with development of this 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 . Access the FREE Training Factsheet (PDF) 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

NORTH SUBURBAN TOBACCO COMPLIANCE PROJECT (NSTCP) The North Suburban Tobacco Compliance Project (NSTCP) offers law enforcement, decision makers, vendors and communities a proven and comprehensive method to ensure youth don’t have access to commercial tobacco products. NSTCP recruits and trains all youth buyers to follow a specific compliance check protocol, and they continually receive feedback after each time they assist. Each student receives a gift certificate to reimburse them for their time or verification of service hours completed. NSTCP Trainings NSTCP holds two scheduled tobacco vendor trainings per year open. These trainings are open to all vendors in participating cities and cost nothing to the vendor. Program coordinator Katie Engman is also available to provide onsite vendor trainings when requested. This allows for all employees to be present at the training, provides individualized attention and offers flexibility to the vendors. Training materials are also available for vendors. After the tobacco compliance check is completed, a certificate is sent by NSTCP to notify vendor management that the store has passed a tobacco compliance check. This saves time for law enforcement, as they do not need to go in after each check and notify the vendor. All tobacco compliance check results are tracked to create a longitudinal look at trends. Each city receives its results, so it can identify problems and celebrate success in reducing youth access to commercial tobacco. All results are communicated to city, county and state elected officials. The cost of the program is based on a per vendor ratio. State law allows for cities to charge a tobacco license fee large enough to cover all enforcement and administrative costs. The only limitation is that the fee should not exceed the direct and indirect costs in issuing the license and policing the licensed activities. The fee for participation in the North Suburban Tobacco Compliance Project could fall under this category. The project continues to receive a grant from the Association for Nonsmokers-MN to offset each city’s cost to participate in the program. Learn how to conduct compliance checks during the COVID-19 pandemic using this factsheet . Want to learn more about how to conduct compliance checks? Download the Compliance Checks Toolkit . For more information: Katie H. Engman Project Coordinator 651-646-3005 katie@ansrmn.org

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Lesson Eleven: Mental Health and Nicotine Lesson Eleven (PDF) Lesson Files N/A Videos N/A

Lesson Eight: Price Discounting Lesson Eight (PDF) Lesson Files Don't Discount My Life Factsheet Videos Don't Discount My Life Video

Lesson Seven: Sharing Our Findings: Taking Action Lesson Seven (PDF) Lesson Seven (PPT) Lesson Files How We Will Gather Support Issues and Goals Store Survey Results Tools to Build Support Who Will Support Us Videos Saint Paul Advocates at Work Minneapolis Ordinance Prevents Youth Tobacco Use