Amendment makes minimum per-pack price of cigarettes one of the highest in the country and ends price discounts
The Minneapolis City Council passed a comprehensive amendment to the tobacco ordinance today. The amendment, authored by Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, focuses on reducing health disparities, youth initiation of commercial tobacco products and protects the health of the city’s residents as a whole. The ordinance includes:
- Increasing the minimum per-pack price of cigarettes, and other commercial tobacco products to $15.
- Ending price discounts and coupons for commercial tobacco products.
- Increasing the penalties for licensees that violate city policy.
- Ending the sampling “loophole” for any new commercial tobacco products shop.
“These changes will protect youth and communities of color from tobacco industry targeting,” said Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, Ward 4. “Tobacco is still the leading cause of death, and I am proud that our city is taking this important public health step.”
Effecting change
The tobacco industry uses price discounts and coupons to keep prices low, and target youth and individuals living in low-income communities and communities of color. Low prices are associated with increased initiation of tobacco products and make it harder for people to quit using them. One-third of adult smokers use tobacco coupons or discounts.
“As a health department, we are concerned about the leading cause of preventable death in Minnesota – tobacco,” said Deputy Commissioner Heidi Ritchie, Minneapolis Health Department. “We know that young adult nonsmokers in Minnesota who receive tobacco coupons are twice as likely to become smokers. Due to the addictive nature of commercial tobacco products, it’s far more effective to lower tobacco deaths if we prevent people from ever starting to use them. We are optimistic the new amendments are another step in saving lives and building healthier communities in our city.”
Increasing prices equals decreasing use
- For every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes, adult smoking decreases by 3-5% and youth smoking decreases by 6-7%.
- Increase in price leads to increase in quit attempts.
- Calls to quitlines increase when prices increase.
- A study that looked at raising the state-level minimum price of cigarettes by an average of $2 per pack projected a resulting reduction in cigarette consumption by 15.9%.
"Council Member Vetaw has been a tireless public health advocate in Minneapolis for years," said Mayor Frey. "This ordinance prioritizes the health and well-being of our residents, and I'm proud to stand alongside her in supporting its passage."
History of commercial tobacco regulation in Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis has long been a leader in implementing commercial tobacco legislation. The passing of this ordinance shows its commitment to the health of its residents, especially its youth.
- 2005: Minneapolis ends allowance of indoor smoking.
- 2015: The City Council votes to restrict sales of all flavored (sweet/candy) tobacco products (except menthol) except for in tobacco product shops and off-sale liquor stores.
- 2017: The City amends the flavor restriction to include menthol, mint and wintergreen. This went into effect in 2018.
- 2018: Minneapolis joins more than 340 cities nationwide in raising the tobacco sales age to 21. This goes into effect the same year. The federal government and state follow with Tobacco 21 laws in 2019 and 2020.