Hearing to address proposed changes to county tobacco retail laws

The Waseca County Board of Commissioners will be considering revisions to Tobacco Retailer Ordinance #73 that governs the regulation of tobacco related products. Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 461.19, subdivision 3 requires that the governing body provide notice to the public prior to the meeting. A public hearing regarding the changes has been scheduled during the Board’s Dec. 1 meeting, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the East Annex building, 300 N. State Street in Waseca.

 

Proposed Tobacco Retailer Ordinance revisions include increasing retailers’ annual license fee; capping the number of licensed retailers; prohibiting sales of tobacco products in pharmacies; increasing fines and penalties for ordinance violations; adding a minimum clerk age; prohibiting the sale of “loosies,” flavored products, and delivery sales; changing the local code so it meets  State Statute for minimum sales of age 21; making coupons and price promotions unredeemable within the county; increasing the number of annual compliance checks at businesses; increasing cigar packaging and pricing; adding proximity restrictions between retailers and youth-oriented facilities; and updating tobacco language and definitions.

 

Anyone with questions about the proposed ordinance changes or the process, is invited to contact Samara Plotz at 507-308-8746 or samara.plotz@wasecacounty.gov.