Crystal Council Tables Flavored Tobacco Ordinance With Restrictions To Come

The Crystal City Council tabled a proposal banning the sales of flavored tobacco and vape products, but did so with plans to modify the restrictions in its current tobacco policy.

In a split vote, the council moved to restrict sales of flavored tobacco and vapes to 21-plus shops, thus removing it from shelves at gas stations and grocery stores.

The policy would also aim to reduce the total number of city-issued tobacco sales licenses from 20 down to two through attrition. 

Mayor Julie Deshler, who called herself a “life-long smoker,” said she initially supported the full ban, but wanted to be mindful of the city’s existing tobacco and vape stores.

“I feel like as an adult, people do have the right to go in and purchase it in their community,” she said. “Also, I’m not anybody’s mother, and I don’t want to pretend to be [and] sit up here and make decisions for other adults.”

Public Testimony

The decision came after considerable public testimony from the city’s tobacco retailers and smokers, many wearing shirts proclaiming “We Love Flavors,” and “Flavors Matter.” 

Meanwhile, antismoking advocates sported pink shirts saying “Keep Lungs Loud” and “Flavors Hook Kids Minnesota.”

Owners of vape and tobacco stores told the council that a full ban would likely put them out of business.

Gentry Chandler, owner of Dark Horse Vapery in Crystal, previously told CCX News “It would shut me down immediately, and put everything I’ve worked so hard for in jeopardy.”

He brought the council a petition opposing the ban with more than 500 signatures and asked them to consider increased enforcement measures.

Jacquelyn Siewert, who works in Hennepin County’s Public Health Department, spoke in favor of the ban.

“Nearly nine out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try by age 18. The most effective solution is to prevent this before it starts,” she said.

Split Council

Council members John Budziszewski, Traci Kamish and Forest Eidbo supported the ban.

“If I think about what the purpose of government is, what our purpose up here is, it is to protect the public interest against the forces that are out there to abuse them,” Eidbo said. “And addiction is one of those forces, especially when it’s commercialized at an international scale.”

Another four council members supported the restriction to age 21-plus establishments. 

That is, they supported banning the sale of flavored tobacco at any store that allows entry to customers under the age of 21.

Taji Onesirosan, David Cummings, Therese Kiser and Deshler all preferred a 21-plus restriction.

As a result, the council tabled the policy until city staff members can come back with revised language that allows for enforcement provisions.

Crystal