During the last week of June 2022, twelve ANSR staff, interns, and partners traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to share and learn at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH). NCTOH is the premier gathering of the United States tobacco control movement and this year’s conference had no shortage of ANSR’s leadership, innovation, and collaboration in the spotlight. You can view links to our presentations and posters below:  Katie Engman presented during a breakout session on how ANSR and partners passed a price discounting ordinance in St. Paul amidst the pandemic. View the presentation slides here: Community Organizing During a Pandemic: Passing innovative price discounting policies in St. Paul, MN ANSR interns/advocates Meghan McFarling, Anna Grace Hottinger, and Upendo Gimbi presented on authentic engagement of young people in tobacco work.View the presentation slides here: Not About Us Without Us: Engaging Youth and Young Adults in Tobacco Prevention and Advocacy Emily Anderson and our partner Bethlehem Yewhalawork from Northpoint presented the work of the Minnesota Menthol Coalition. View the presentation slides here: Keep the mission, shift the focus:How the Minnesota Menthol Coalition adapted Jackie Siewert presented a poster on equitable enforcement of smoke-free housing policies. View the poster here: Equitable & Effective Enforcement of Smoke-Free Housing Policies Katie Engman presented a poster on the implementation of Tobacco 21 in Minnesota. View the poster here: Implementing Minnesota’s Tobacco 21 Law During the COVID Pandemic Molly Schmidtke, Anna Grace Hottinger, and Upendo Gimbi presented a poster on data collection and youth engagement. View the poster here: The Best Messengers: Data Collection & Youth Engagement During COVID-19 Chris Smith joined partners from Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation to present a poster on the coalition’s racial and health equity work. View the poster here: Where the Rubber Hits the Road: Lessons Learned from Racial and Health Equity Public Policy Assessment Kara Skahen and Rachel Callanan from the Public Health Law Center presented a poster on the development of an equitable model smoke-free housing ordinance. View the poster here: Achieving Equity in Smoke-Free Housing: How a Social Justice Approach Shaped a Model Smoke-Free Housing Ordinance Jackie Siewert and Evalyn Carbrey from the Minneapolis Health Department presented a poster on access to affordable smoke-free housing in Minneapolis. View the poster here: Understanding Access to Affordable Smoke-Free Housing: Lessons Learned from the City of Minneapolis

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 tobacco and increases penalties for retailers who sell commercial tobacco to people under age 21.  Saint Paul has historically been a leader on tobacco control policy. They were one of the first cities to enact a smoke-free air ordinance, well ahead of the statewide law passed in 2007. Saint Paul was also among the first cities to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes in 2017. Since then, more than 20 Minnesota communities have followed suit. Saint Paul continues its leadership on tobacco control policy with this ordinance. According to the Association for Nonsmokers – Minnesota, the inclusion of vaping products in the ordinance’s price-discounting prohibition makes it the first-of-its-kind in the United States.  Council President, Amy Brendmoen, stated in a virtual public hearing on October 26 that commercial tobacco adds no value to the community and retailers need to find more creative ways to attract customers.   “I’ve said this a few times — give me a good samosa. Give me some pizza. Give me some bubble tea. I’ll get in there,” Brendmoen said. Brendmoen and the other six Council Members all voted in support of the ordinance.  “It would be even more powerful to see other cities adopt this as well. So I encourage those elected officials to do this for their communities, too,” said Councilmember Nelsie Yang before the final vote. During the virtual public hearing for the ordinance, the Saint Paul City Council heard from a broad and diverse group of supporters representing community organizations, healthcare groups, businesses, religious groups, and Saint Paul residents. One such supporter was Jonathan Rose, Saint Paul resident and Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Aid Initiative.  “Keeping the prices of all tobacco products high and regulating price promotions are progressive steps toward protecting our families and community from starting and helping with quitting,” said Rose.  Tobacco companies have long targeted youth, African Americans, Indigenous people, LGBTQ people and other people of color with cheap tobacco. The ordinance will help reduce tobacco-related health disparities in those communities.  “Cheap tobacco does not benefit my community’s health. Putting this in place will have a positive impact on the mental health of my friends and family,” said Zhara Christopher, a young St. Paul resident, during the virtual public hearing. The ordinance goes into effect on December 11, 2021.

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, including menthol, to adult-only tobacco stores. Menthol-, candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products are attractive to youth, and the tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco.  Additionally, the council voted to remove purchase, use, and possession penalties for those under the age of 21. These penalties–known as PUP penalties–divert focus from addressing irresponsible retailers and the tobacco industry which has a long history of targeting youth. The council had previously voted to update its tobacco ordinance to meet state requirements that raise the tobacco sales age to 21.   Speaking in support of the ordinance, Councilmember Kt Jacobs outlined her rationale for wanting to approve the changes. “Vaping erased 15 years of progress lowering the use of tobacco by our youth. The numbers are just astounding.” Jacobs went on to say, “I’ve listened to companies that have come forward locally. I’ve listened to the residents. Policies such as the ones before us this evening are proven to reduce the use by both youth and African American adults, two of the most targeted tobacco industry market groups. I cannot in good conscience ignore these numbers as I cast my vote this evening.” Student data survey results released in 2020 showed an alarming jump in the rate of teens vaping in Minnesota.  Flavored vapes are the choice of youth. Overall youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use.   “On Monday night, Columbia Heights joined a growing group of Minnesota cities to recognize the importance of implementing strong restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco to protect youth and help alleviate health disparities,” said Emily Anderson, Director of Policy at the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota. “The tobacco industry has long used sweet, candy and mint flavors to hook smokers. Minnesota communities understand that they can have a positive impact on their cities by acting now. We hope that state leaders will take notice and take statewide action soon.” In Minnesota, African American (88 percent), LGBTQ youth (70 percent) and all youth (34 percent) smokers use menthol at a higher rate than the general population.  Columbia Heights is the 23rd Minnesota community to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco and the 18th to also restrict the sale of menthol. Ten of those cities completely ban flavors.  The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.

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One of the first cities in the Twin Cities to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products, Shoreview strengthened that policy on May 17. The City Council voted unanimously to add menthol to its restriction on selling flavored tobacco products. Shoreview restricted the sale of flavored tobacco except menthol to 21-over tobacco shops in 2016. Menthol is the most popular and addictive flavor. The tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco. Additionally, the industry has targeted Black communities with menthol for decades, creating immense health disparities. Shoreview council member Sue Denkinger said businesses would need to pivot. “This movement has been growing,” Denkinger said. “The data in support of this policy and the support from students … is overwhelming.” Council member Cory Springhorn addressed industry comments that the ordinance would lead to businesses closing. “I drive through Saint Paul and see businesses that have survived this, so they found a way,” Springhorn said. “I think it’s time for businesses to move on and find a different business model.” Added council member Emy Johnson, “We started this work in 2016, so this is not a new topic. It’s a continued commitment to the quality of life of residents.” In Minnesota, African American (88 percent), LGBTQ youth (70 percent) and all youth (34 percent) smokers use menthol at a higher rate than the general population. “It’s easy now to see how Big Tobacco worked to get Black people hooked through decades of relentless targeting,” Shoreview Human Rights Commissioner Gene Nichols said. “Back in the day, the tobacco industry handed out Newports from vans parked in Black neighborhoods and Social Service offices, sponsored events like KOOL Jazz Fest, and blanketed magazines like JET and Ebony with menthol tobacco ads. “Lowering smoking rates and eliminating health disparities would create improved health outcomes, reduce inequities and lower health care costs, which would benefit all Minnesotans.” Anna Grace Hottinger, a high school senior and Shoreview resident, urged the council to include menthol in its policy during testimony Monday night. “Shoreview has an opportunity to protect our community members in removing menthol, mint and wintergreen products from stores,” Hottinger said. “We can’t wait for the federal government and state to work on this when we have an opportunity to do it now.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced it would look to remove menthol cigarettes and cigars from the marketplace. However, FDA action often takes years to be enacted and will be challenged by the tobacco industry. Shoreview resident Grace Plowman, also a high school senior, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She also pointed out how the industry targets the Black community with menthol. “Menthol cigarettes tend to be marketed toward the Black community as well, and studies show that black people are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes,” Plowman said. “By banning the sale of menthol, the city will address racial equity.” The Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey released earlier this year shows that 70 percent of youth in the state who use e-cigarettes are showing signs of addiction. Overall, youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use. Shoreview is the 18th Minnesota community to include menthol in its flavored tobacco restrictions. Ten of those cities completely ban all flavors.

Removing menthol cigarettes from the marketplace will improve health disparities; local action and statewide funding still crucial Saint Paul – The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota (ANSR), the state’s oldest nonprofit dedicated solely to tobacco control, applauds the Biden Administration’s decision to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. While the decision is long overdue, this action is a powerful and crucial step toward mitigating some of the disparities in health outcomes for BIPOC communities in our state, especially among Black Minnesotans. Menthol is not just another flavor. It is the primary money-making flavor for the tobacco industry and has long been targeted toward the Black community, the LGBTQ community, and youth. More than 80 percent of African Americans who smoke use menthol. This isn’t an accident, but is the result of a multi-billion dollar effort by the tobacco industry to hook entire communities. It’s not surprising these communities also face greater health disparities due to menthol tobacco use. Since 2009, menthol has been the only flavored cigarette allowed on the marketplace, which has institutionalized disparities and cost precious lives, especially in the Black community. For too long, the tobacco industry has been given leeway to continue to market and sell menthol cigarettes, which are known to be more addictive and difficult to quit than other tobacco. They have made an enormous profit while our communities suffer from the health consequences of tobacco addiction. The announcement by the FDA will kick off a rule-making process that will take at least a year. In the meantime, state and local leaders can act now to end the sale of menthol and all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, chew and flavored cigars. Strong flavored tobacco policies will address health disparities, reverse the youth tobacco epidemic and improve health for all Minnesotans. “Just this week, the City of Bloomington became Minnesota’s 17th community to restrict or end the sale of menthol and other flavored tobacco products. Ten of those cities have completely ended flavored tobacco sales, including Bloomington. ANSR urges local communities to continue to pass strong policies to help curb the impact tobacco has on all of us, especially BIPOC communities,” said Chris Smith, Community Organizer at ANSR. Funding is an important part of comprehensive policies to reverse the youth tobacco epidemic and ease tobacco-related health disparities. The proposed House, Senate and Walz budget bills increase investments in tobacco prevention programs and direct the Minnesota Department of Health to emphasize health equity in these programs. Increasing Minnesota’s investment in tobacco prevention will reduce addiction, save money and lives.

Bloomington, Minn. – Always a state-wide leader in protecting youth and residents from the harms of tobacco, Bloomington City Council voted 4-2 on April 26 to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol. The ordinance also provides for the official sunsetting, or end, of all tobacco licenses in the city through attrition, a first of its kind ordinance in Minnesota. Bloomington will no longer issue new tobacco licenses. If a store with a tobacco license closes, that license will be eliminated. This will go into effect June 30, 2022. The ordinance completely clears menthol, candy and fruit-flavored tobacco products from stores in Bloomington and will go into effect on Jan. 1. The tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco. Additionally, the industry has targeted Black communities with menthol for decades, creating immense health disparities. “I am proud that Bloomington has joined the growing list of Minnesota cities deciding to end the sale of all flavored tobacco,” said council member Jenna Carter, a strong supporter of the ordinance. “Removing flavored tobacco, especially menthol, from stores in Bloomington will protect our youth and help alleviate health disparities. “We have also taken a bold step toward a tobacco-free future here in our city. By no longer issuing new tobacco licenses and by sunsetting existing licenses, we will one day live in a city free from the impacts of commercial tobacco sales.” Removing menthol and mint-flavored products that heavily target the Black community aligns with a recent vote by the council that proclaimed racism a public health crisis. In Minnesota, African American (88 percent), LGBTQ youth (70 percent) and all youth (34 percent) smokers use menthol at a higher rate than the general population. “A few months ago, this council declared racism as a public health crisis. For decades, tobacco companies have channeled menthol tobacco products into Black communities, causing death and disease,” said Shoreview Human Rights Commissioner Gene Nichols, who testified on Monday. “Bloomington has the opportunity to take a stand and protect its Black residents of all ages. Lowering smoking rates and eliminating health disparities would create improved health outcomes, reduce inequities and lower health care costs, which would benefit all Minnesotans.” Eric Li, a high school sophomore and member of the Minnesota Youth Council, spoke in favor of the ordinance, as well. “Flavored products mask the harshness of tobacco, but they are just as addictive and harmful as non-flavored tobacco products,” Li said. “Many flavored vape products contain as much nicotine or more than a pack of cigarettes, but kids my age aren’t aware of this so they aren’t worried about becoming addicted until they are. “My colleagues and I at the Minnesota Youth Council … were especially concerned that 70 percent of youth who use e-cigarettes are now showing signs of addiction.” Overall, youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use. Bloomington is the 22nd Minnesota community to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco and the 17th to also restrict the sale of menthol. Ten of those cities completely ban flavors.

The Roseville City Council took a big step in protecting youth and vulnerable populations from the targeting of the tobacco industry on Feb. 8. The City Council voted unanimously to restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, to adult-only tobacco stores and capped the number of those stores to the city’s current number of four. Menthol, candy and fruit-flavored tobacco products are attractive to youth, and the tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco. “It’s a health issue, a health issue that’s been going on for decades,” council member Wayne Groff said during a January public hearing. “Flavored tobacco increases the likelihood of people being addicted.” Mayor Dan Roe said while youth usage of flavored tobacco is definitely a public health issue, he didn’t want to dismiss the equity part of it with menthol, either. The tobacco industry has targeted youth, women, LGBTQ and Blacks for decades with menthol. In Minnesota, African American (88 percent), LGBTQ youth (70 percent) and all youth (34 percent) smokers use menthol at a higher rate than the general population. “Menthol continues to be disproportionately used among youth, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQ communities,” said Shoreview Human Rights Commissioner Gene Nichols. “Greater use, addiction, and health disparities exist and persist because of the tobacco industry’s history of marketing and promotion of menthol tobacco products in these communities.” Eric Li, a high school sophomore and member of the Minnesota Youth Council, spoke in favor of the ordinance in January. “Young people continue to use flavored products despite distance learning,” Li said during the meeting. “My friends vape in cars and at parties that are advertised on classmates’ Instagram posts and Snap Chat stories. I see it daily. Many flavored vape products contain as much nicotine or more as a pack of cigarettes.” Mei Bryn Swanson, a recent Roseville Area High graduate, recalled classmates leaving class to go vape in the bathrooms or sneaking puffs in class. “These products are small and easily disguisable,” Swanson said. “The smell of blue raspberry and bubble gum filled the air around all corners at RAHS, especially in the bathroom stalls. “You have the opportunity to change laws and more importantly to save lives. You can make a positive impact on those suffering at the hands of wealthy tobacco executives who so famously said, ‘We don’t smoke that s—. We reserve that right for the young, the poor, the black and the dumb.’” Overall, youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use. Dr. Etienne Djevi, a Roseville resident and physician, who is also on the Roseville Human Rights Commission, spoke in favor of the ordinance. “We are dealing with a youth vaping epidemic, and flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are incredibly enticing to youth, and have been blatantly marketed to young people,” Djevi said. “As a physician, I can tell you that the medical evidence that flavors are harmful when vaped is overwhelming. I am proud to be a resident of Roseville, where we have taken bold action against the tobacco industry.” Katie Engman, a program director for the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, praised council member Groff for his efforts in bringing this ordinance in front of the council. “Council member Groff has been a strong leader throughout this entire process,” Engman said. “His dedication to improving the health of all in our community is outstanding. He is dedicated to improving health equity.”

Two cities took steps to protect the health of youth and all residents from the harms of tobacco. The Fridley City Council voted 4-1 in September to restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, to adult-only tobacco stores. Menthol-, candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products are attractive to youth, and the tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco. Additionally, the Fridley council voted to update its tobacco ordinance to meet state requirements that raise the tobacco sales age to 21. New Hope city council voted in August to restrict the sale of candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products and also updated the city’s tobacco language to meet state minimums to set the minimum age to purchase tobacco at 21. The ordinance will cap the total number of tobacco licenes at their current number of 21. Like many local decision makers, Fridley Mayor Scott Lund said he preferred leaving these issues to state legislators but didn’t let that stop him and the council from protecting Fridley residents now. “I would be much happier if the state would take this on as a statewide issue,” Lund said. “But, as with most of the things … in reality, it doesn’t happen from the top side down. It ends up at the grassroots. It happens in cities all over the country, just like it is here (tonight) in Fridley. “I have turned from thinking it’s an overreach, but I think we owe it, as council persons, to help our city, and this is a help to our young people. If not now, when?” Fridley council member Ann Bolkcom said during the meeting it was important to protect youth now.

Minnesota’s leader in the Tobacco 21 Movement took further steps to protect youth and vulnerable populations from the targeting of the tobacco industry. The City Council voted unanimously on June 16 to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol. Menthol-, candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products are attractive to youth, and the tobacco industry uses these flavors to hook a new generation of users, resulting in addiction, disease and death. Eighty percent of youth tobacco users use flavored tobacco. During the meeting, Mayor James Hovland pointed out the long-term health care costs of youth becoming hooked on tobacco and talked about how the industry lures them in with flavors. He said the effect on people’s lives outweighed the impact on local merchants. “I think it’s the smart thing to do,” Hovland said. “It’s a wise public health move.” Student data survey results released last October showed an alarming jump in the rate of teens vaping in Minnesota. Flavored vapes are the choice of youth. According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, one in four Minnesota 11th graders reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days. That is a 54 percent increase from the 2016 survey. “Kid-friendly flavors are critical to marketing these products,” said Arjun Maheshwari, a junior at Edina High and member of Gov. Walz’s Children’s Cabinet. “E-liquids come in countless candy flavors that taste like gummi bears, Skittles, and every other sweet flavor under the sun. Once JUUL hit the Minnesota market, I saw vaping take off like wildfire among my peers and classmates.” Overall youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use. “Edina continues to be a leader for tobacco control in Minnesota,” Chris Turner, Media & Communications Manager at the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, said. “Edina continues to address the human and economic costs of tobacco head on by restricting how and where tobacco is sold in their community. There’s no doubt this will save lives.” In Minnesota, African American (88 percent), LGBTQ youth (70 percent) and all youth (34 percent) smokers use menthol at a higher rate than the general population. “The tobacco industry has been preying on marginalized communities for decades,” said Eugene Nichols, Open Cities Health Center St. Paul Chairman of the Board. “Menthol masks the harshness of smoking, allowing the poison to go deeper into the lungs and making it easier to pick up smoking. It also makes it much harder to quit.” Edina is the 16th Minnesota community to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco and the 11th to also restrict the sale of menthol. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Saint Louis Park, Shoreview, Lauderdale, Duluth, Mendota Heights, Robbinsdale, Falcon Heights, Lilydale, Arden Hills, Golden Valley, Rushford, New Hope and Hennepin County have restricted the sale of flavored tobacco products. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Duluth, Mendota Heights, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, Lilydale, Arden Hills, Golden Valley and Hennepin County also restrict the sale of menthol tobacco products. Four other cites – Golden Valley, Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Arden Hills, completely prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products.