CC_Minutes_2018_0709 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 18, 2018 Page 3 Mayor Roe asked whether the Council is agreeable to a 30-minute time limit on taking testimony from the public. The Council concurred, emphasizing that balance will be important. Mayor Roe stated that it is important to have a variety of perspectives this even- ing. Mayor Roe reviewed protocol for the purpose of receiving public input on the above-referenced tobacco ordinance; and opened the public hearing at approxi- mately 6:30 p.m. Public Comment Alexandra Eckland, 705 Roma Avenue, Ms. Eckland stated she has just passed her 10-year anniversary of being tobacco- free. She noted that e-cigarettes are not safe or approved. Tobacco 21 is dedicat- ed to preventing young people from becoming addicted to tobacco like she did. Gracie Jackson,Belmont Lane, Ms. Jackson stated she is going to be a senior at Roseville Area High School. She is supportive of raising the tobacco age to 21. She knows a lot of 15-year-olds who get their 18-year-old friends to buy tobacco for them. She commented on the massive influx of vaping in her high school. She displayed a vaping device, which is designed to look exactly like a thumb drive. She also displayed a sweat- shirt with built-in vape connections so that it is difficult to distinguish when someone is using a vaping device or not. She expressed strong support for the or- dinance raising the minimum age to 21. Has Kru Moo,Wellshare International, 2353 Rice Street, Ms. Moo expressed support for raising the legal age limit for tobacco to 21. Her organization is committed to reducing tobacco use within the Karen community. Tobacco has devastating impact on the Karen community. Eighty percent of the Karen community uses tobacco, and 90 percent do so before they turn 18. The group is working to educate youth, families, and elders about the dangers of to- bacco. Nebyu Yewhalawork,Roseville, Mr. Yewhalawork stated he is a sophomore at Nova Classical Academy and is supportive of the ordinance change. He recently learned the tobacco industry has a long history of targeting young people. In 2016, the major tobacco companies spent$9.5 billion in the U.S. to promote their products. Bethlehem Yewhalawork 398 Minnesota Ave,