ST. CLOUD -- Over 40 central Minnesota health organizations have signed on to the idea that our area should raise the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21.

At the St. Cloud Area Joint Cities Meeting Tuesday night, Doctor Julie Anderson with the St. Cloud Medical Group made the case in favor of raising the tobacco age in front of mayors, council members and business owners from the St. Cloud Metro.

Dr. Anderson says, she personally sees a lot of support to raise the tobacco age, and there's strong polling to back it up.

"The CDC poll that I referenced stated that 75% of the total population of the U.S. supports the initiative...70% of smokers also support the measure. We haven't polled St. Cloud, but in my practice I'd say the majority of smokers that I see in my practice also support it because I've been asking them over the past year."

 

Outside of Tuesday's presentation, she's been talking to cities on a council by council basis at meetings. Dr. Anderson says it's about 50/50 in terms of support from cities in our area.

At the meeting the reactions were mixed, with several attendees saying they would prefer the state to deal with it, and several saying e-cigarettes should not be regulated the same way.

Edina recently raised the age in their city to 21, the change took effect July 1.

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