St. Paul Considers Increasing Cigar Prices

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The St. Paul City Council is set to vote on a proposal that would increase the price of cigars in small quantities.

Reports say the proposal aims to make tobacco less accessible to children. Supporters hope to replicate the success of an ordinance in Brooklyn Center, where the price of single cigars and the smaller cigarillos more than doubled.

Some local business groups are trying to block the proposed St. Paul ordinance. St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Kramer says the regulation would create an unfair playing field because smokers would likely go to neighboring towns to purchase cheaper tobacco.

A Minnesota Department of Health survey found cigars are nearly as popular as cigarettes among underage smokers.