Stevens County adopts T21 tobacco ordinance, defers fines to state statute

The Stevens County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a T21 ordinance on May 19, 2026, that prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products to anyone under 21 and removes fixed local fines so penalties will follow Minnesota Statute 609.031.

The ordinance (Resolution No. 260519-12 / Ordinance No. 13) was introduced at a public hearing called by Chair Lesmeister-Nelson at 9:44 a.m. There were no public comments during the hearing. Commissioner Kopitzke moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Staples seconded; all five commissioners voted aye.

County documents state the board’s action is intended to advance tobacco-prevention efforts for youth in Stevens County and to ensure the county’s fine schedule remains consistent with legislative changes. The resolution notes the board held public hearings and took public testimony on May 5 and May 19, 2026, “unanimously in support of the T21 Ordinance.”

The adopted ordinance removes stated fines from the local code and refers enforcement and penalties to Minnesota Statute 609.031 to maintain compliance with any future legislative changes to penalty schedules. The board recorded the ordinance’s effective date as May 19, 2026.

Board members did not receive public input at the hearing and recorded no amendments to the draft ordinance; the county’s action was a formal adoption by unanimous vote. The county cited Minnesota Statute 609.031 in the ordinance language as the legal reference for fines.

The ordinance will be implemented through existing county enforcement processes; the board did not specify additional local enforcement resources at the meeting.