Bemidji City Council Votes to Raise Age of Purchasing Tobacco

Bemidji City Council members met Monday, March 18 at City Hall and voted in favor of the tobacco ordinance.

The ordinance will prevent stores from selling tobacco to people who are under the age of 21. Every member of the council voted in favor of the ordinance except for Ward 5 Councilor Nancy Erickson.

City of Bemidji Ward 3 Councilor Ron Johnson said that the raising the age of tobacco purchase to 21 was a a good decision.

“I think it’s a good idea, I think everyone on the council felt it was good. Some just thought maybe we should wait and let the state set the rules and maybe not be out in front of it,” Johnson said. “But I think everyone felt that it’s probably a good thing.”