Minnesota’s tobacco laws are not keeping up with the creativity and marketing of new tobacco products.
From strips that melt in your mouth to orbs that look like Tic-Tacs, users can get a nicotine bump anytime, anywhere and undetected. Supporters of new regulations fear these products could lure in a whole new generation of tobacco users.
Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) sponsors
HF3467, the Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act of 2010, that would close the loophole on products that supporters say target the younger generation.
The bill would regulate these products similar to the way cigarettes and cigars now are. It would also apply to electronic cigarettes and candy- or fruit-flavored “little cigars” that are similar in size to cigarettes, but because of their design are not as regulated and cost less.
The bill was held over by the House Taxes Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.
A companion,
SF3055, sponsored by Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), was passed 63-4 by the Senate Wednesday.