Clay County bans sale of flavored tobacco products

THE ORDINANCE CARVES OUT AN EXCEPTION FOR MENTHOL-FLAVORED TOBACCO

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – The Clay County Commission on Tuesday passed an ordinance that bans the sale of flavored tobacco.

The ordinance allows for the continued sale of menthol cigarettes, flavored chewing tobacco and nicotine pouches. Commissioners declined to pass a more restrictive option that would have included menthol.

The vote was 3-2. Commissioners David Ebinger, Frank Gross and Paul Krabbenhoft voted in support of the ban. Commissioner Kevin Campbell and Jenny Mongeau voted against it.

Jim Joy, owner of Kirk’s Super Stop in Hawley, told commissioners that the ban would lead to a loss of business and tax revenue.

Joy said customers who can’t find what they’re looking for at his business could go to nearby Lake Park, in Becker County, where the ban is not in effect.

Commissioner Kevin Campbell said he has concerns about Clay County “doing this alone.” “Does Norman, Cass, Becker, Ottertail County have this ordinance?,” Campbell said.

The vote was taken following a public hearing that lasted nearly an hour.

People who work in the health care industry urged the commission to support the ban.