Local advocates want to take Tobacco 21 fight to state

When St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis vetoed an ordinance amendment last month that would have raised the tobacco-buying age to 21 in St. Cloud — after the City Council passed the amendment on a 4-3 vote — St. Cloud resident Tamara Jett was disappointed.

“I wish St. Cloud could have joined the ranks to lead the way,” she said, referring to other cities that passed similar ordinances. “I’d love nothing more than to see St. Cloud be a leader in this.”

Despite the discouragement, Jett — along with state and national advocacy groups — are working to bring the movement to the state level.

Their effort got a boost Monday when St. Cloud City Council passed a measure recommending the Legislature raise the tobacco-buying age to 21. It passed on a 4-3 vote.

Want to join the movement? Digitally endorse a postcard here to be sent to your local and state elected officials.

Read the full article here.