The smokeless tobacco product ban act is an act that ban all forms of smokeless tobacco.

 

The purpose of this bill is to eliminate smokeless tobacco sales and reduce the amount of smokeless tobacco users in

Minnesota.

 

Tobacco usage is the leading cause of mouth cancer in the U.S, which particularly affects people in rural, impoverished

neighborhoods. This is caused by a multitude of factors, but mainly a higher usage of tobacco (particularly smokeless

kinds) and less access to frequent healthcare services cause higher rates of all types of mouth cancer and the lesser

likelihood to catch the cancer in its early stages in these communities. To help combat this ongoing issue, this bill

plans on banning all smokeless tobacco products in Minnesota.

 

Smokeless Tobacco Products are Defined as Such: All forms of nicotine pouches, dissolvable nicotine products

(orbs/pellets, strips, and sticks), nicotine gels, chewing tobacco in all forms (loose-leaf, plugs, and twists), and

snuff in all forms (dry, moist, and snus).

Exceptions can occur when trying to help a former nicotine addict go through NRT (nicotine replacement therapy). This

therapy needs to be approved at the discretion of a doctor if the addict would like to use a prescription product,

non-prescription (over the counter) does not need to be at the discretion of a doctor. Non-prescription products (over

the counter) consist of: transdermal nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges. Prescription products that

contain nicotine: nicotine spray and nicotine inhaler. Prescription products that do not contain nicotine: varenicline

tartrate and bupropion hydrochloride.

 

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will have portions of the annual 33.4 billion dollars go towards employees changing

how tobacco licensing will work and stopping the sales of smokeless tobacco products.

 

Tobacco stores will be at threat of closure if caught selling tobacco and suppliers will face not being allowed to sell

in Minnesota.

 

By January 1st, 2026.