Agenda - Council - 09/24/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.93 Tobacco Licenses and Sales Regulations. 7.93.01 Purpose. Because the City of Ramsey recognizes that many persons under the age of 18 years purchase or otherwise obtain, posses, and use tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco related devices, and such sales, possession, and use are violations of both State and Federal laws; and because studies, which are hereby accepted and adopted, have shown that most smokers begin smoking before they have reached the age of 18 years and that those persons who reach the age of 18 years without having started smoking are significantly less likely to begin smoking; and because smoking has been shown to be the cause of several serious health problems which subsequently place a financial burden on all levels of government; this section shall be intended to regulate the sale, possession and use of tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco related devices for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws, to protect minors against the serious effects associated with the illegal use of tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco related devices, and to further the official public policy of the State of Minnesota in regard to preventing young people from starting to smoke as stated in Minnesota Statute 144.391. 7.93.02 Definitions and Interpretations. Except as may otherwise be provided or clearly implied by context, all terms shall be given their commonly accepted definitions. The singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. The masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, and v/ce-versa. The term "shall" means mandatory and the term "may" means permissive. The following terms shall have the definitions given to them: City means the City ofRamsey, Anoka County, Minnesota. Compliance Checks means the system the .City of Ramsey uses to investigate and ensure that those authorized to sell tobacco, tobacco t3roducts, and tobacco related devices are following and complying with the requirements of this section. Compliance checks shall involve the use of minors as authorized by this section. Compliance Checks shall also mean the use of minors who attempt to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco related devices for educational, research and training purposes as authorized by State and Federal laws. Compliance checks may also be conducted by other units of government for the purpose of enforcing appropriate Federal, state, or local laws and regulations relating to tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco related devices. Council or City Council means the Ramsey City Council. Exclusive Tobacco Stores means a retail store which derives at least 90 percent of its revenue from Tobacco and Tobacco Products and which cannot be entered at any time by persons younger than 18 years of age except as provided herein. 'Individually Packaged means the practice of selling any tobacco or tobacco product wrapped individually for sale. Individually wrapped tobacco and tobacco products shall include, but not be limited to, single cigarette packs, single bags or cans of loose tobacco in any form and single cans or other packaging of snuff or chewing tobacco. Cartons or other packaging containing more than a single pack or other container as described in this subdivision' shall not be considered individually packaged.