Students and advocates from across the state are at the Capitol Thursday urging lawmakers to support a bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products.
Superintendent of the Ely school district Anne Oelke says vaping is a challenging issue, and the fact that companies are targeting young people is despicable.
"And I think that the legislature can do something very great and stand up and just say no flavors," says Oelke. "That would make a big difference for our youth."
According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, nearly 20% of Minnesota high school students reported using e-cigarettes, the majority of them flavored.
In the African-American community, activist Sylvia Amos says addiction to menthol cigarettes is a huge issue.
"It's no accident that 815 of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes which are easier to smoke and harder to quit," explained Amos.
Student activists are also sounding the alarm about flavored vaping products, which they say addict kids instantly.
“Youth Voices,” an exhibit containing hundreds of postcards featuring powerful personal stories from youth across Minnesota is currently on display in the Capitol’s North Corridor until April 25. The stories were collected by the American Lung Association in Minnesota from youth between the ages of 11 and 21 and showcase how tobacco addiction has impacted their lives, friends, family and classmates.
Nearly 10,000 Minnesota kids will try cigarettes for the first time each year. Studies show the number one way to combat youth tobacco addiction is to eliminate the availability of flavored products. Statewide polling found 62% of Minnesotans support a proposal to end the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products.