North Mankato Raises Tobacco Purchasing Age to 21

(February 6, 2018) -

Last night, the North Mankato City Council voted to raise the minimum purchasing age of tobacco products from 18 to 21 in a 3-1 vote.

"There has been a tremendous amount of support from North Mankato citizens for this new ordinance, and the American Lung Association applauds the City Council for listening to their constituents to pass this important new policy," said Erin Simmons, senior manager of tobacco control for the Lung Association in Minnesota.

The ordinance will protect the most vulnerable parts of our population, our children. Young people are more vulnerable than older adults to nicotine addiction, which can harm brain development. In addition, 95 percent of adult smokers start before age 21. Raising the legal age puts tobacco products on par with alcohol and protect young adults from developing a dangerous lifelong addiction and ultimately save lives.

"We urge Mankato to follow North Mankato’s leadership and vote to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, protecting our kids from the scourge of Big Tobacco and save funding in health care costs and, most important, to ultimately save lives," Simmons added.

The Mankato City Council will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at their meeting on February 12.

Four other Minnesota cities have passed ordinances raising the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21; Edina, St Louis Park, Bloomington and Plymouth.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.