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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 3 <br /> City Clerk Hanson referenced the updated list of communities and the actions they have taken, if <br /> any, regarding Tobacco 21. She asked the Council for direction regarding a potential ordinance <br /> amendment that would increase the sales age to 21 and/or regulate flavored tobacco products. <br /> Mayor Grant asked if the State was drafting language to address this issue. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated language was being drafted, but this did not mean it would be <br /> approved. <br /> Councilmember Scott indicated the FDA was considering banning all flavored tobacco sales and <br /> Juul was going to pull their products from stores and would be conducting online sales only. He <br /> stated he was in favor of banning flavored products sales in Arden Hills. <br /> Councilmember Holden anticipated that anything approved by the FDA would take quite some <br /> time to trickle down to Arden Hills. <br /> Councilmember McClung stated he was in favor of increasing the legal age to 21 for all tobacco <br /> products as well as limiting the sale of flavored and menthol products to a tobacco store in the <br /> City of Arden Hills. <br /> Councilmember Holmes requested further information on how the City or State defined flavored <br /> tobacco. <br /> Kristin Ackert, Association for Non-Smokers MN, described how the State defines flavored <br /> tobacco noting this included, mint, menthol, fruit and candy flavored tobacco products. She <br /> reported some cities have determined flavored sales should occur only in adult, dedicated tobacco <br /> shops. <br /> Councilmember Holden questioned if the City could address this issue in steps. She stated <br /> perhaps the Council should consider raising the legal age to 21 and then after that consider <br /> regulating the sale of flavored tobacco in the City for tonight's discussion. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned if the Council wanted to wait for the State to take action on the tobacco <br /> age. <br /> Councilmember Holmes stated she did not support waiting for the State, but rather would like to <br /> see the City Council take action now. <br /> Councilmember McClung agreed. <br /> Mayor Grant stated there was consensus amongst the Council to change the legal age of tobacco <br /> sales to 21. He explained he supported the City restricting the sale of flavored tobacco. He feared <br /> that smokeless tobacco was becoming a gateway for teens. He indicated menthol was also a <br /> problem. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked if there were any flavors the City wanted to allow. <br />