OUR MISSION 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. 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 Minneapolis city to raise the tobacco sales age to 21. Financial Documents 2023 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2023 Federal Form 990 Annual Reports 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 2017 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2017 Federal Form 990 2017 Annual Report

E-CIGARETTES Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that contain a mixture of liquid nicotine and other chemicals. The device heats this mixture, called e-juice, producing a nicotine aerosol that is inhaled. E-cigarettes are also called vapes, vape pens, e-hookahs, e-pipes, hookah pens or personal vaporizers. The 2017 Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health, showed that the youth commercial tobacco usage rate increased for the first time since 2000 when the survey first began. The rise was due to e-cigarettes. E-cigarette use among Minnesota high school students peaked around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has decreased since. In 2023, one in seven (13.9%) of Minnesota high school students had vaped in the past 30 days. The Beginning: JUUL The rise of market leader JUUL, pictured left, in the 2010s lead to a massive increase in e-cigarette use among youth. JUUL pods come in youth-friendly flavors and provide a doubled dose of nicotine when compared to typical e-cigarettes. This is dangerous, as nicotine is harmful to developing adolescent brains. Nicotine interferes with brain development and can have a long-term effect on mental health. Even brief or intermittent nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause lasting damage. E-cigarette use by youth and young adults increases their risk of using conventional cigarettes in the future. "Disposable" Vapes Unlike refillable or pod-based vapes such as JUUL, disposable vapes are meant to be discarded after a single use. These products come in a wide variety of shapes, flavors, and colors and are becoming increasingly popular. They are not FDA approved nor regulated. The term "disposable" is misleading. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, plastics, heavy metals, and lithium-ion batteries, all of which cannot be disposed of in the garbage. They are classified as hazardous waste. E-Cigarettes and Schools It’s easy for youth to hide e-cigarettes among everyday school supplies in their backpacks. Since the rise of JUUL, other look-alike products have hit the market in a wide range of flavors. Some schools have gone so far as to ban USB drives, as it is too difficult for teachers to discern between the devices. There are many deceptive products on the market that are designed for youth to hide their use. These include vape hoodies, devices built into working watches, and devices made to look like lipstick or highlighters. With these issues in mind, ANSR put together the Tools for Schools Toolkit to help schools address commercial tobacco use, including the use of vapes, on school property. The guide also includes tools and resources to adopt and implement a commercial tobacco-free policy. Download Tools for Schools Toolkit Regulations Minnesota law prohibits e-cigarette use in public schools, hospitals, clinics, daycare facilities during hours of operations, and government-owned buildings, including city and county buildings. Minnesota law requires e-cigarette liquids and systems to be sold in child-resistant packaging. E-cigarettes cannot be sold from movable places of business, like mall kiosks or community events, or in self-service displays. Retailers are required to obtain a tobacco license before selling these products and to ensure these products are only sold to those who are 21 years of age or older. Youth Tobacco Usage & COVID-19 Research has shown commercial tobacco use can affect COVID-19 outcomes. In 2020 ANSR worked with youth advocates in Ramsey County to conduct a pair of surveys of youth in the Twin Cities Metro. The youth assembled and disseminated the survey questions, putting together a survey early during the Stay at Home orders and again in late summer 2020. Youth Vaping Survey Toolkit: ANSR created a toolkit, based on the surveys (shown left), outlining youth engagement and survey implementation. This toolkit also includes sample questions to ask, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to create your own survey and engage youth in collecting data. Download Toolkit E-Cigarette Resources E-Cigarettes Fact Sheet E-Cigarettes Fact Sheet Citations Big Tobacco Desk Image Vaping and Mental Health Fact Sheet Spanish Version Big Tobacco Backpack Image

OUR MISSION 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. 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 Minneapolis city to raise the tobacco sales age to 21. Financial Documents 2023 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2023 Federal Form 990 Annual Reports 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 2017 ANSR Audited Financial Statements 2017 Federal Form 990 2017 Annual Report

ANSR staff presented to faculty and staff at the University of Minnesota's Tobacco Research Programs in December 2024. The presentation, titled "Research in action: using data to advocate for commercial tobacco policies", covered the broad range of ANSR's programs and how we rely on research to ensure the policies we pursue are both effective and cutting edge. You can watch the presentation here:  https://youtu.be/dobFQA6EJQo .

This updated map highlights Minnesota communities actively working to restrict or prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol. It distinguishes between areas with comprehensive policies banning all flavored tobacco and those with partial restrictions targeting e-cigarettes or specific flavored tobacco products. These efforts aim to reduce youth access to addictive substances and promote public health.

The Vadnais Heights City Council voted unanimously to adopt a revised Commercial Tobacco Ordinance, marking a significant step forward in promoting public health within the community. The new ordinance includes: A ban on the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products; A cap on retail tobacco licenses at six; Strengthened penalties, with the removal of PUP penalties for violators. This policy is marking a significant step forward in promoting public health within the community, helping reduce youth access to flavored tobacco products and limiting the spread of tobacco-related harm. Thank you to everyone who emailed, called, testified, sent a letter of support, attended a council meeting, and/or spread the word about this ordinance. Vadnais Heights is the 12th city in the state to completely end the sale of flavors. Vadnais Heights has taken bold action to create a thriving community for all.