As you are likely aware, the Minneapolis City Council passed an amendment to the Tobacco Ordinance. These changes will go into effect on May 4, 2024 with 4 areas of focus, including establishing minimum pricing, prohibiting the use of coupons, increasing the penalties for tobacco related violations and defining sampling.
Below you will see a breakdown of the changes. Minneapolis Health and Business Licensing will be working on posters and other tools for you to use to communicate these changes with your customers.
They will be mailing a physical version of this letter to all licensed Minneapolis Tobacco businesses locations next week.
Minimum Pricing
- Cigarettes
- $15 per pack
- Cigars
- $3.75 each (1)
- $7.50 per package of two (2)
- $11.25 per package of three (3)
- $15.00 per package of four (4)
- Snuff
- $15.00 per package of moist snuff
- Loose Tobacco
- $15.00 per package of loose tobacco (3 ounces)
Coupons and Price Promotion
- Tobacco dealers cannot accept or redeem any coupon or price promotion discounting the price of a tobacco product to a consumer
- Tobacco products include tobacco, tobacco-related devices, electronic delivery devices, or other products that contain nicotine.
Increased Penalties For Tobacco Violations (Violations are counted within a 24 month time)
- 1st violation – $500 fine
- 2nd violation – $1,000 fine and seven (7) day tobacco dealers license suspension
- 3rd violation – $2,000 fine and one hundred twenty (120) day tobacco dealer license suspension
- 4th violation – tobacco dealer license revocation
Sampling Definition-Effective Date December 1, 2024
- Limited to fifteen (15) minutes during a single visit or
- Fifteen (15) minutes during any sixty (60) minute time period
- Must be tobacco purchased or obtained from the store the same day
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to:
City of Minneapolis – Community Planning and Economic Development
- Main: 612-673-2080
- [email protected]
- www.minneapolismn.gov/licensing