Eagan raises tobacco sales age to 21

May 8, 2021

While cities ask for guidance from the Minnesota state legislature on raising the tobacco sales age to 21, they still continue to march forward on taking care of the issue itself. Eagan became the latest city to adopt Tobacco 21 on May 7, 2020, with a unanimous vote.
Via phone to the council members, each of whom could be seen on livestream participating from their homes on Zoom, Eagan residents shared their appreciation for the Tobacco 21 ordinance.
Eagan resident Andrea Mowery thanked the Eagan City Council for its “deep commitment to the city.” She also thanked them for passing an ordinance that will hold tobacco retailers accountable and will help protect Eagan youth from access to these dangerous products.
With e-cigarette use among youth continuing to rise, communities in Minnesota are working to combat what the U.S.
Surgeon General has called an “epidemic.” Survey results released in October showed an alarming jump in the rate of teens vaping in Minnesota. According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, one in four Minnesota 11th graders reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days.
That is a 54 percent increase from the 2016 survey. Overall youth tobacco use had already taken an upward swing in 2017 for the first time in 17 years because of e-cigarette and flavored cigar use.
Eagan resident Dr. Amelia Burgess, a pediatrician and addiction medicine specialist, also called in to talk to the council in support of T21.
“Nicotine addiction is the most difficult substance use disorder to treat,” Burgess said. “Kids as young as 10 or 11 are exposed to vaping in the schools. I see nicotine addiction in my patients, and in the peers of my children, who recently attended Dakota Hills Middle School and Eagan High School. They all report that vaping is normal and common in the
schools. They also report a common belief that vaping is safe, while cigarettes are dangerous.”
An Eagan 7th grade student thanked the council for its commitment to keep youth safe and healthy, adding, “This ordinance will help prevent youth from using tobacco, including e- cigarettes. E-cigarette use among youth is a growing