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...St. Paul is about to lose "loosies."
The City Council voted Wednesday to ban the sale of single -- or loose -- cigarettes.
The council cited the lack of health warning labels on single smokes and said their cheapness makes them attractive to minors and the poor.
Council President Kathy Lantry proposed the ordinance after getting complaints from neighbors about the sale of loosies, which are found at some convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores.
"I think it's taking advantage of people," she said. "It really is a way that kids start smoking."
Other Minnesota cities have already banned the loose cigarettes.
Public health experts said the sale of single cigarettes to minors is a big concern.
Research indicates the sale of loosies dates to the 1930s, when Depression-era men and women couldn't afford a full pack of cigarettes.
Anti-smoking activist Jeanne Weigum, who is president of the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, said the most important reason to ban the practice is that buyers need to know that cigarettes are harmful, she said.
"That's federal law. Cigarettes that are sold have to have a warning label," she said.
KIROTV.com
No More 'Loosies' In St. Paul
POSTED: 10:29 am PDT October 13, 2006
This article is talking how in a city they banned the selling of single or loose cigarettes. The reason for this is there cheapness is appealing to the poor and minors. And the lack of a warning label is also a reason. The council president panned realized the need for this after getting several complaints from neighbors about this issue. Many other cities in Minnesota have already banned the sale of single cigarettes.
So u can just add this open to the list.
I think this is an excellent idea. I for one hate cigarettes. I think they are incredibly and totally disgusting. No one should smoke them they don't make you look cool. They...
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