Accessibility menu
State Representative Linda Slocum
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7158
For more information contact:
Press/News Releases
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DAY AT THE CAPITOL
ST. PAUL — The American Cancer Society recently had their “Day at the Minnesota Capitol." Local constituents, Linda Crear and Maggie Beekman-Knutson visited Representative Linda Slocum (DFL – Richfield/Bloomington) to advocate for a bill that would enhance Minnesota’s Freedom to Breath Act by closing the “little cigar” loophole.
The “Little Cigar Bill” would raise the price of little cigars and candy-flavored tobacco products to prevent kids from using and becoming addicted to tobacco. They can cost half has much traditional cigarettes and are marketed to appeal to kids with fruity flavors like grape, cherry, and strawberry.
“We should do all that we can to prevent our kids from becoming addicted to tobacco products,” said Rep. Slocum. “Every year, 6,800 Minnesota kids become daily smokers. By raising the price of under-taxed tobacco products, the Little Cigar Bill can help prevent kids from using and becoming addicted to tobacco.”
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease, causing the deaths of 5,100 Minnesotans each year.
Raising the price of tobacco also helps current users to decrease their use or even quit. Minnesota spends $2.87 billion in tobacco-related healthcare costs each year. This comes to $554 for every man, woman, and child in the state.
“Not only is this a public health problem, it’s a tremendous budgetary problem as well,” said Rep. Slocum. “Tobacco-related healthcare costs are driving up costs for everyone. Anything we can do to help people quit smoking will benefit our entire state.”
The Freedom to Breathe Act is supported by eighty percent of Minnesotans and protects the health of all Minnesotans.
News Items
- New Legislation Increases Local Control - (Posted: May 21 2013 12:02PM)
- Protecting Families After Losing A Loved One - (Posted: May 6 2013 3:44PM)
- Homeowners, Richfield & Bloomington Benefit From Property Tax Relief Legislation - (Posted: Apr 8 2013 6:44PM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.