Sound off about Tobacco 21 in Mankato

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback regarding enacting Tobacco 21 in Mankato. The City Council unanimously approved an an ordinance raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21. View Council video.

What is Tobacco 21?

Tobacco 21 is a national campaign aimed at raising the minimum legal age for tobacco and nicotine sales in the United States to 21.

Current state law
Current state law--Minnesota statute 609.685--prohibits the sale of tobacco to people younger than age 18. Doing so is a chargeable offense for a retailer/and or their employee. This statute also prohibits people younger than age 18 to purchase, attempt to purchase or possess tobacco.

Mankato's current ordinance (chapter 9, section 9.17) is identical to the state statute.

What happens if Tobacco 21 is enacted in Mankato?

• raises legal age to 21 to purchase tobacco and nicotine products.

• makes it illegal for retailers to sell to anyone 20 or younger.

• does not prevent anyone 18 or older from using and possessing tobacco in Mankato because state law does not prohibit it.

• does not prevent anyone 18 or older from buying tobacco in most jurisdictions in the state.

Join the discussion.

Citizen input is important and helpful when making City Council decisions. Share ideas about what decision should be made on behalf of the city.