HomeMy WebLinkAboutTobaccoAgeRaised
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 Fax 952-826-0389 EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Votes to Raise Age to Purchase Tobacco Products
Edina, Minn., May 2, 2017 – Edina has become the first city in Minnesota to increase the age for legal
tobacco sales. At its May 2 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to raise the minimum age to purchase
tobacco products to 21. The change goes into effect July 1.
“When we undertook this study, we had no intention of leading the state in this effort. Nonetheless, we’ve
become comfortable in being leaders of ‘T21,’” said Mayor Jim Hovland. “We have an ardent belief that we
can have a profound effect on the health of our young people with this change. Hopefully, this will percolate
up to the State Legislature. Minnesota has taken the first baby step, with Edina taking the lead.”
The ordinance change raises the age to purchase all tobacco-related products. This includes cigarettes, cigars,
smokeless tobacco as well as e-cigarettes.
Dr. Caleb Schultz, who sits on the Community Health Commission, led the movement along with the Health
Commission. He said they were brought to action by the national campaign, Tobacco 21, to raise the buying
age.
“Edina demonstrated how much we value our children’s health by being the first city in Minnesota to enact a
Tobacco 21 ordinance,” said Schultz. “I'm proud of Edina for taking this major step in creating the first truly
tobacco-free generation."
Edina joins more than 210 cities across the country that have raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco
products. Last year, California and Hawaii adopted the same legislation statewide.
Edina licenses 18 tobacco vendors, including convenience stores, gas stations and Edina Liquor. The penalties
remain the same for selling tobacco to those underage.
For more information, contact the Edina Health Division at 952-826-0370.
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