In Olmsted County, we’re taking action to protect our youth from flavored tobacco and nicotine addiction. These products are designed to hook kids — and we won’t let that happen here. We are health professionals, educators, coaches, parents, and neighbors united by a shared goal: to give every child the chance to grow up free from nicotine addiction. Through education, advocacy, and community action, we’re creating lasting change.
The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting kids and communities of color with candy-like flavors and misleading marketing. Their goal? To build a customer base of lifelong users. Flavored products like Cotton Candy, Watermelon, Ice, and Cool Mint are designed to appeal to young people, making it easier for them to start and harder to quit.
These products are designed to look fun, taste sweet, and hook a new generation. They also contain large amounts of nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Kids who never would’ve smoked are now addicted because the flavors got them started.
Big Tobacco knows exactly what it’s doing — hooking another generation to tobacco. Now is the time to take action.
Nicotine levels in today’s e-cigarettes can have serious consequences for adolescent brain development and overall health, making it an urgent public health issue.
— Dr. Katie Smentek, President
Minnesota Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
The numbers speak for themselves: 76% of Minnesota students who have ever tried a commercial tobacco product started with a flavored one. Among Minnesota students:
81%
of those who use tobacco used a flavored product (menthol or other flavors) in the past 30 days
80%
are showing signs of addiction
70%
of those who vape wish they could quit, many saying they have tried 10 or more times
Nicotine used in adolescence can affect parts of the brain that control learning, mood, memory, attention and impulse control. 31% of Minnesota students who use commercial tobacco report symptoms of anxiety and depression — tobacco harms both mental and physical health.
E-cigarette aerosol contains nicotine, carcinogens (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde), toxic metals (chromium, nickel, tin, lead), ultrafine particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene.
We are a coalition that works to protect our community from the harms of flavored commercial tobacco. We advocate for policy change, educate the community, and connect young people to the support they need to live nicotine-free lives. If your organization is interested in joining our coalition, please contact us.
