MMA Supports Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

March 7, 2024

An MMA-supported bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products was heard in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 5. The bill, HF 2177, is authored by Ethan Cha (DFL-Woodbury).  

Minnesota has seen the sale of flavored tobacco products grow in recent years, and tobacco companies have increased their marketing of other flavored tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and hookahs. Colorful packaging and sweet flavors have enticed new users, particularly kids, and this new market for flavored tobacco products is hindering efforts to reduce youth tobacco use. According to Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation, two thirds of current high-school tobacco users in Minnesota reported using a flavored product. 

Furthermore, according to the American Lung Association, 75% of youth choose flavored tobacco (35% smoke menthol and 40% smoke other flavors). Recent reports issued by five leading public health organizations found that flavoring increases experimentation among youth, and young people who initiate using are more likely to become addicted and become long-term daily smokers.  

Commercial tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in Minnesota with significant disparities for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders. For decades the tobacco industry has targeted this population, now 40% of all cigarettes sold in the U.S. are purchased by people with a mental health or substance use disorder. 

Additionally, national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that e-cigarette use has increased by 46% in just 2 years (2020-22), driven by increased sales of kid-friendly flavors. Young adults with serious mental health conditions use menthol tobacco products at disproportionately high rates.