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"DRAFT" <br /> <br /> CITY OF ELK RIVER <br /> <br />Section 708 - TOBACCO ORDINANCE <br /> <br />708.00 - PURPOSE <br /> <br />Because the city recognizes that many persons under the age of 18 <br />years purchase or otherwise obtain, possess, and use tobacco, <br />tobacco products, and tobacco related devices, and such sales, <br />possession, and use are violations of both State and Federal <br />laws; and because studies, which are hereby accepted and adopted, <br />have shown that most smokers begin smoking before they have <br />reached the age of 18 years and that those persons who reach the <br />age of 18 years without having started smoking are significantly <br />less likely to begin smoking; and because smoking has been shown <br />to be the cause of several serious health problems which <br />subsequently place a financial burden on all levels of <br />government; this ordinance shall be intended to regulate the <br />sale, possession, and use of tobacco, tobacco products, and <br />tobacco related devices for the purpose of enforcing and existing <br />laws, to protect minors against the serious effects associated <br />with the illegal use of tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco <br />related devices, and to prevent young people from starting to <br />smoke as stated in Minn. Stat. Section 144.391. <br /> <br />708.02 - DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS <br /> <br />Except as may otherwise be provided or clearly implied by <br />context, all terms shall be given their commonly accepted <br />definitions. The singular shall include the plural and the <br />plural shall include the singular. The masculine shall include <br />the feminine and neuter, and vice-versa. The term "shall" means <br />mandatory and the term "may" means permissive. The following <br />terms shall have the definitions given to them: <br /> <br />Compliance Checks: means the system the city uses to investigate <br />and ensure that those authorized to sell tobacco, tobacco <br />products, and tobacco related devices are following and complying <br />with the requirements of this ordinance. Compliance checks shall <br />involve the use of minors as authorized by this ordinance. <br />Compliance checks shall also mean the use of minors who attempt <br />to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco related devices <br />for educational, research and training purposes as authorized by <br />State and Federal laws. Compliance checks may also be conducted <br />by other units of government for the purpose of enforcing <br />appropriate Federal, State, or local laws and regulations <br /> <br /> <br />