In Rochester, we’re taking action to protect our youth from flavored tobacco and nicotine addiction. These products are designed to hook kids — and we won’t let that happen here. We are health professionals, educators, coaches, parents, and neighbors united by a shared goal: to give every child the chance to grow up free from nicotine addiction. Through education, advocacy, and community action, we’re creating lasting change.
The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting kids and vulnerable communities with candy-like flavors and misleading marketing. Their goal? To build a customer base of lifelong users. Flavored products like Cotton Candy, Watermelon, Ice, and Cool Mint are designed to appeal to young people, making it easier for them to start and harder to quit.
These products are designed to look fun, taste sweet, and hook a new generation. They also contain large amounts of nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Kids who never would’ve smoked are now addicted because the flavors got them started.
Each device can contain as much nicotine as 20 to 30 packs of cigarettes. Each pouch can contain as much nicotine as 6 cigarettes.
Big Tobacco knows exactly what it’s doing — and it’s doing it to our children. Now is the time to take action.
Nicotine levels in today’s e-cigarettes can have serious consequences for adolescent brain development and overall health making it an urgent public health issue.
— Dr. Katie Smentek, President
Minnesota Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
76% of students who have ever tried a commercial tobacco product started with a flavored one. Among Minnesota students who currently use tobacco:
81%
used a flavored product (menthol or other flavors) in the past 30 days
90%
are showing signs of addiction
70%
wish they could quit, many saying they have tried 10 or more times
Nicotine used in adolescence can affect parts of the brain that control learning, mood, memory, attention and impulse control. 31% of students who use commercial tobacco report symptoms of anxiety and depression — tobacco harms both mental and physical health.
E-cigarettes contain nicotine, carcinogens (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde,) toxic metals (chromium, nickel, tin, lead), ultrafine particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene.
32% of Minnesotans already live in communities that restrict the sale of fruit, candy, and Menthol commercial tobacco products.
Roseville
Bloomington
Columbia Heights
Moorhead
Prior Lake
Big Stone County
Shakopee
Nobles County
Benton County
Richfield
Clay County
Dillworth
Lilydale
Hennepin County
Golden Valley
Rushford
Traverse County
Wheaton
Browns Valley
Edina
New Hope
Fridley
Rice County
Brown County
Shoreview
Minneapolis
St. Paul
Robbinsdale
St. Louis Park
Duluth
Falcon Heights
Lauderdale
Mendota Heights
Arden Hills
Vadnais Heights
We are a coalition that works to protect our community from the harms of flavored commercial tobacco. We advocate for policy change, educate the community, and connect young people to the support they need to live nicotine-free lives. If your organization is interested in joining our coalition, please contact us.
Flavored E-Cigarettes Hook Kids
Flavored Tobacco Products Attract Kids
Electronic Cigarettes and Youth
Stopping Menthol, Saving Lives: Ending Big Tobacco’s Predatory Marketing to Black Communities
The Minnesota Department of Health provides tobacco cessation through Quit Partner. Anyone in Minnesota can access the program’s support. 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) | QuitPartnerMN
My Life My Quit (MLMQ) is a free cessation service to support teens who want help quitting all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes. Text "Start My Quit" to 36072 | MyLifeMyQuit.com
