
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is sending letters to 5,000 distributors and retailers, reminding them of state and federal laws that ban sale of unauthorized e-cigs and nicotine pouches. The letters specifically refer to products that imitate candy, beverages or school supplies commonly marketed to minors.
Ellison says the letters are meant to get compliance from the retailers. He says legal action is his office’s last resort.
Mahtomedi High School senior Mason Schultz says for the most part it’s vape and tobacco shops selling to his friends and classmates.
“I’ve had friends… They started back in 8th grade…. It’s drained their money,” Schultz says. “It’s led to their mental health deteriorating. They can’t operate in school. All they think about is the buzz.”
Schultz says some people he knows have switched to marijuana or cocaine “just to get that buzz that nicotine once gave ’em.”
Officials say some on-line sellers do basically nothing to verify the buyer’s age. They say another problem is older friends and siblings providing e-cigs to minors.
Comments