MINNEAPOLIS — Tobacco products in Minneapolis may soon cost $15 minimum.
That’s if the Minneapolis City Council approves a proposed change to the city’s tobacco products ordinance.
The proposed plan – which is expected to be discussed and possibly voted on – would: increase the price of most tobacco products to $15 (excluding taxes); cut out coupon use on those products; raise penalties on those who sell to minors; and close a “sampling” loophole that has allowed indoor smoking in some businesses.
Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw says it’s all a matter of public health.
“When we look at as a state how much we pay for tobacco-related death and illness, there’s always a time to do these kinds of policies. Because we know they work to get people to quit and to also stop people from starting, which in turn saves us money as a state,” said Vetaw, who worked on public health policy before serving on the council.
Vetaw further notes there’s no merit to the claims the change will hurt businesses – given other smoking-related measures have not had that effect – and she agrees with those who argue the measure will disproportionately affect communities of color.
“That’s the point, people of color die more often than others of tobacco-related causes,” she said, adding: “I want people of color to stop because the price is too much. I want people of color to stop because they think about the health outcomes.”
Meantime, not everyone welcomes the proposed price hike.
On Wednesday, a steady stream of customers visited the Uptown Tobacco & E-Cigs store on Lake Street.
Mohammed Hassan, who both manages the store and smokes himself, says the price hike will affect business, while not affecting personal or public health.
“People are still going to buy their cigarettes so it's not going to help them to quit smoking,” he said, adding: “It's going to drive people away I don't see any good in doing that.”
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