Our View: Minnesota Research Shows Tobacco 21 is Working

Posted By Liz on November 22, 2021

There was no news coverage two weeks ago when researchers in Minnesota announced their findings that raising the legal age to buy tobacco, from 18 to 21, “significantly” reduced tobacco use among eighth- and ninth-graders.

Probably because that was the whole idea, precisely what we had been told would be the outcome here in Minnesota after lawmakers voted to enact what’s often referred to as Tobacco 21. The laws and policies are meant to restrict and reduce young people’s access to tobacco products. The new higher tobacco age went into effect in Minnesota in July 2020.

Read the full article at Duluth New Tribune: Our View: Minnesota research shows Tobacco 21 is working | Duluth News Tribune

FDA Ignores It’s Own Data Showing Threat to Kids by Allowing Highly Addictive Vuse to Remain on the Market

Posted By Liz on October 25, 2021

Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it authorized the marketing application for high-nicotine Vuse e-cigarette products. The American Lung Association’s President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement in response to the FDA’s announcement:

“The American Lung Association is dismayed that FDA will permit three Vuse products to remain on the market in the U.S., including products that contain almost 5% nicotine. The harm these products cause to youth shows that they fail to meet the Tobacco Control Act’s public health standard.

Mankato Asked to Ban Menthol Cigs, Flavored Vaping Products

Posted By Liz on October 25, 2021

MANKATO — Potential legal costs and uncertainty about public opinion prompted the Mankato City Council to take a cautious approach on banning the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco and vaping products, despite support among council members for the concept.

Liz Heimer of the American Lung Association made the case for banning the sale of vaping products infused with candy-themed scents and tastes and other flavorings attractive to young smokers. Heimer, along with Minnesota State University Associate Professor Mary Kramer and Blue Cross and Blue Shield representative Bukata Hayes, also stressed the importance of prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes, flavored chewing tobacco and other flavored nicotine products.

You can read the full article here: Mankato asked to ban menthol cigs, flavored vaping products | Local News | mankatofreepress.com

Minnesota Doesn’t need Flavored Tobacco

Posted By Liz on October 25, 2021

I love Mankato. This is a beautiful area and a wonderful town. I have grown up here and attended both high school and college in the area. Throughout my time growing up in this town, I couldn’t help but note the growing problem we have in our community: tobacco use among youth.

Read Full Article Here: Minnesota doesn’t need flavored tobacco | Letters To The Editor | mankatofreepress.com

Vaping More Than Triples Odds That Young People Will Use Little Cigars and Other Combustible Tobacco Products

Posted By Liz on August 3, 2021

Truth Initiative: New Study

Young people who used JUUL or other e-cigarettes had more than triple the odds of going on to use cigars, little cigars, or cigarillos within two years compared to those who had never vaped, according to Truth Initiative research that is the first to link e-cigarette and future cigar use.

Full article sourced here.

DC Council Votes to Ban Sale of Flavored Tobacco, including Menthol Cigarettes

Posted By Liz on July 6, 2021

DC Council Votes to ban sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes

A divided D.C. Council voted Tuesday to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in the District, including menthol cigarettes.

Read the full article here.

Point/Counterpoint: For everyone’s health, ban on tobacco flavoring long overdue

Posted By Liz on June 9, 2021

Point / Counterpoint: For everyone’s health, ban on tobacco flavoring long overdue

From the column: “The evidence that menthol is a serious public health threat is overwhelming. … The FDA’s announcement that it will prohibit menthol flavors in cigarettes and all flavors in cigars was a big step in the right direction.”

Read the original article on DNT’s link, here: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/columns/7046390-PointCounterpoint-For-everyones-health-ban-on-tobacco-flavoring-long-overdue

When Fewer People Smoke We All Save Money

Posted By Liz on May 5, 2021

When Fewer People smoke we all save money

We all deserve to live long, healthy lives that are free from preventable diseases and addiction. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significant gaps in our state’s health care access, particularly when it comes to mental health and addiction services.

As a pediatrician at St. Luke’s and as medical director of Wilderness Health, I am working to build partnerships to ensure every Minnesota resident can access health services so they can live healthy lives that are free from addiction and mental illness.

Bloomington to End Sales of Flavored Tobacco, Sunset all Tobacco Licenses

Posted By Liz on April 28, 2021

Bloomington 22nd MN city to restrict flavored tobacco

The city of Bloomington took a large step toward ending the sale of all tobacco products on Monday night.

The Bloomington City Council voted 4-2 to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol. That ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

FDA Poised to Ban Menthol Cigarettes

Posted By Liz on April 28, 2021

FDA Poised to ban menthol cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration appears likely to move to ban menthol in cigarettes this week — a step, experts say, that has been years in the making and that could have a significant positive impact on the health of Black Americans.

SSee the full article here.

Our View: Minnesota Research Shows Tobacco 21 is Working

FDA Ignores It’s Own Data Showing Threat to Kids by Allowing Highly Addictive Vuse to Remain on the Market

Mankato Asked to Ban Menthol Cigs, Flavored Vaping Products

Minnesota Doesn’t need Flavored Tobacco

Vaping More Than Triples Odds That Young People Will Use Little Cigars and Other Combustible Tobacco Products

Truth Initiative: New Study

DC Council Votes to Ban Sale of Flavored Tobacco, including Menthol Cigarettes

DC Council Votes to ban sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes

Point/Counterpoint: For everyone’s health, ban on tobacco flavoring long overdue

Point / Counterpoint: For everyone’s health, ban on tobacco flavoring long overdue

When Fewer People Smoke We All Save Money

When Fewer People smoke we all save money

Bloomington to End Sales of Flavored Tobacco, Sunset all Tobacco Licenses

Bloomington 22nd MN city to restrict flavored tobacco

FDA Poised to Ban Menthol Cigarettes

FDA Poised to ban menthol cigarettes

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