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Fargo directs city attorney to review Tobacco Ordinance Chapter 35 after public health briefing
Summary
The commission approved staff work to review and draft updates to Chapter 35 (Tobacco Ordinance), asking that the public health board vet proposals and that staff incorporate best practices on licensing and flavor policies to reduce youth access to vapes.
The Fargo City Commission directed the city attorney’s office to review Chapter 35 of the City Code (Tobacco Ordinance) for possible updates that could include licensing and flavor policies aimed at reducing youth access to flavored vapes. Jen Fall of Fargo Cass Public Health told the commission that public‑health partners and local and national organizations have been collaborating on best practices and that a joint informational meeting with the Board of Health and partners was recently recorded and is available online.
Fall said the workgroup includes the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Fargo Public Schools, Fargo Police Department school resource officers, Campaign for Tobacco Free North Dakota, Tobacco Free Kids, Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota and other partners. She said the city does not yet have a specific draft ordinance to share and that any proposed language would return to the commission after public‑health review.
Commissioner Turnberg said she expected the ordinance review to be vetted first by the Board of Health and that vape‑shop owners and other stakeholders would be invited to provide input. Commissioners praised the data‑driven briefing and encouraged continued public input. The commission approved the motion to have staff proceed with the legal review and prepare draft options for future public consideration.
