People who smoke in Minneapolis can pay a number of the highest cigarette costs within the nation after the Metropolis Council voted unanimously Thursday to impose a minimal retail worth of $15 per pack to advertise public well being.
The ordinance not solely units a ground worth. It prevents people who smoke and retailers from getting round it by prohibiting worth reductions and coupons, which a number of tobacco corporations flow into on-line to lure prospects and reinforce model loyalty. The minimal worth additionally applies to four-packs of cigars. Distribution of free samples is prohibited.
Shopper costs are anticipated to run even larger after taxes are figured in. Whereas retailers will get to maintain the additional cash paid by people who smoke, the upper costs are anticipated to snuff out at the very least a few of their gross sales. E-cigarettes, which have grown in recognition, have been ignored as a result of their costs differ too extensively.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT VOTES TO BAN SMOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE BORN AFTER 2009
The minimal worth will probably be efficient as quickly as Mayor Jacob Frey indicators the measure, which he is anticipated to do throughout the subsequent few days.
Evalyn Carbrey, a senior public well being specialist with the town, stated at a committee listening to final week that employees analysis signifies that Minneapolis’ minimal would be the highest within the nation. Employees decided that cigarettes usually had been promoting in Minneapolis for $11 to $13.50 a pack. The change places Minneapolis forward of New York City, which set its minimal at $13 in 2018.
This July 29, 2013, photograph reveals a case of freshly-stamped Marlboro cigarette cartons at M. Amundson Cigar & Sweet Co. in Minneapolis. People who smoke in Minneapolis can pay a number of the highest cigarette costs within the nation after the Metropolis Council voted unanimously Thursday, April 25, 2024 to impose a minimal retail worth of $15 per pack to advertise public well being. (Mark Zdechlik/Minnesota Public Radio by way of AP, file)
“I’m excited that this council is taking this public health crisis seriously because that’s what it is,” stated the writer of the ordinance, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw.
Council President Andrea Jenkins stated the worth of cigarettes was one motive why she give up smoking eight years in the past, and that she hopes the brand new minimal will encourage extra folks to cease or by no means begin.
“If you travel around the country, New York City — you can’t buy your pack of cigarettes for under $18. Chicago, $17. Some places, Los Angeles, I think they’re up to 20 bucks,” Jenkins stated.
Penalties will vary from a $500 wonderful for a primary violation to license suspensions and revocations for repeat offenders.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“If it helps even one person stop using tobacco, one person use less tobacco, or one person stopped from starting tobacco use, that’s worth it to me,” Council Member Linea Palmisano stated. “I know it’s easy for me to sit up here and say that, as a nonsmoker, but it’s the truth. The only way we’re going to break our dependence on tobacco is if we make some really hard changes.”
