HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.a. Tobacco Awareness Month ProclamationCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 4, 2000
AGENDA ITEM: PROCLAMATION OF APRIL AS
TOBACCO AWARENESS MONTH
AGENDA SECTION:
Department Head Reports
PREPARED BY: Gary D. Kalstabakken, Chief of Police
AGENDA . 5 A
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY: 29=
Council Member Klassen requested that this item to proclaim April as Tobacco Awareness Month in the City or
Rosemount be placed on the agenda. During the month of April, several efforts will be undertaken to bring
public attention to issues related to tobacco and youth. Students from Rosemount High School were
instrumental in this collaborative effort.
At the Dakota County Youth Summit held at the Community Center on February 25 several students from
Rosemount High School identified the illegal use of tobacco by youth and the illegal sale of tobacco to youth as
problems in the community. The youth in attendance shared their thoughts and concerns about tobacco use with
the city and school officials at the summit and the awareness campaign is a direct result of that discussion.
A group of students at RHS has been meeting with Principal Greg Clausen, Police Chief Gary Kalstabakken and
City Council/School Staff Member Sheila Klassen to develop a cooperative effort between the students,
schools, city government and Rosemount Partnership Program. From these meetings, the following awareness
efforts to be held in the month of April have been organized.
Awareness campaign at Rosemount High and Middle Schools.
• Posters, cable and public address announcements, skits
Letter to all tobacco vendors in Rosemount discussing ways to curtail youth access to tobacco.
• Letter signed by Principal Clausen, Chief Kalstabakken, and Student Council
President
• Letter delivered in person by students from RHS
Visual displays at RHS and RMS
Provided by the U of M Project CRASH (Creating Realities About Smoking
and Health), a research project on teen smoking being conducted by the
U of M and HealthPartners
•
Rosemount has made a commitment to its youth by becoming a Community of Promise, instilling the
community policing model and finding means to develop the forty assets identified in the Healthy Community,
Healthy Youth research of the Search Institute.
This cooperative effort is an excellent means to demonstrate to Rosemounfs youth that they are important to the
community. A proclamation by the City Council will show the support of the city to these efforts.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION TO PROCLAIM APRIL AS TOBACCO AWARENESS
MONTH IN THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT, FOCUSING ON THE ILLEGAL SALE TO AND USE OF
TOBACCO BY YOUTH.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Rosemount High School Student Council
April 3, 2000 �
City Limits Lane
15400 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
Dear Licensed Tobacco Vendor:
A few weeks ago the Dakota County Youth Summit was held at the Rosemount Community Center.
This event brought high school aged youth together form throughout Dakota County to discuss
issues that are important to them. A common concern raised by the teens was the availability and
subsequent illegal use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco by underage teens. The youth in
attendance from Rosemount had suggestions for the tobacco vendors I the community on how to
reduce the incidence of the illegal sale of tobacco products.
Employees selling tobacco products should be 18 or over and have completed high school.
► The main factor that the youth believe results in the illegal sale of tobacco is the use of high
school aged students to sell tobacco products. High school aged youth selling tobacco may
be uncomfortable asking fellow students or similar aged youth for identification. They may
also perceive pressure to illegally sell, or even give away, tobacco products to classmates
and friends.
Employees need to have rules enforced.
It is assumed that all vendors have rules in place because of licensing and Food and Drug
Administration regulations that require employees to verify identification and age before
selling tobacco. When an employee is observed violating the rule, the employer needs to
take action. As an employer, you should take action before a police officer, concerned
parent or other person brings the issue to your attention.
Employees need to have recurrent training on the proper sale of tobacco.
► Procedures and expectations will be reinforced when they are regularly discussed and
reviewed with employees
These suggestions are from youth in our community. Their suggestions are based on the knowledge
gained from friends and classmates that are getting the tobacco illegally. We encourage you to do
your part to stop the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.
The illegal use of tobacco is a community concern. In addition to this letter being sent to the
tobacco vendors in the community, the staffs of the police department and schools are also being
reminded of their role in curtailing the use of tobacco by youth. Working together we do hope to
make a significant difference.
Sincerely,
G ry Kalstabakken e C usen Amy 6onboy
Chief of Policc Principal President, Student Council
City of Rosemount Rosemount High School Rosemount High School