Osseo Schools, Brooklyn Park Eye Joint Action on Youth Vaping Epidemic
A recent joint work session highlighted alarming trends in commercial tobacco and vaping among youth, prompting calls for collaborative policy changes from school and city officials.
Osseo Area Schools and the Brooklyn Park City Council convened a joint work session on June 24, 2025, to address the pressing issue of commercial tobacco and vaping prevention among local youth. The meeting brought together public health experts, school administrators, and student representatives to discuss the pervasive availability of nicotine products and explore potential policy solutions aimed at curbing adolescent use.
Discussions centered on the local tobacco retail landscape in Brooklyn Park, with data presented by Jackie Stewart, a Public Health Representative from Hennepin County. Stewart highlighted concerning statistics, revealing that 85-88% of local retail shops offered flavored tobacco products, which are often cited as a gateway for youth to initiate nicotine use. Elise Lavine Loss, representing the Tobacco Free Alliance, provided an overview of commercial tobacco threats and industry tactics, emphasizing the industry's significant influence.
Kids call them vapes. Public health calls ecigarettes. I'm using them interchangeably. And that that's really important because I want everybody to understand they're the same.
Proposed Policy Solutions and Community Impact
The joint session explored various policy solutions, including enhanced tobacco retail licensing, zoning regulations to limit store proximity to schools, and restrictions on flavored tobacco products. Officials acknowledged that a multi-faceted approach would be necessary to effectively address the issue.
Adopting a flavored tobacco policy isn't the only thing the city can do... they can also look at licensing and zoning policies.
Christa Brena, a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Osseo Senior High School, underscored the critical role flavors play in youth addiction. She shared insights from her work with students, noting how flavors often mask the harshness of nicotine products, making them more appealing to young people.
I often ask my kids you know if there were not flavors in tobacco products would you be interested many of will say no, but I often respond and say if you're not addicted, right?
Brena also emphasized the link between chemical health and mental health, highlighting the broader impact of nicotine addiction on students' overall well-being. Osseo Area Schools Assistant Superintendent Brian Bass noted the district's focus on equity and achievement, recognizing that addressing chemical dependency is integral to student success.
Student Perspectives on Access and Prevention
A powerful perspective was offered by Naomi Cooper, a senior at Park Center Senior High School and the Student School Board Representative. Cooper spoke candidly about the easy access students have to tobacco and vaping products, particularly due to the proximity of retail stores to residential areas and schools.
If we're talking about easy access, it's right there. Where I used to live, there was an Arby's. Nobody likes Arby's. They took it out. They replaced it with a tobacco store.
Cooper's remarks underscored the urgent need for municipal action on zoning and licensing. The joint work session concluded with a commitment to explore a potential joint task force between Brooklyn Park and Osseo Area Schools, aiming to collaboratively develop and implement strategies to protect youth from commercial tobacco and vaping products.
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Areas of Interest (4)
- Joint task force proposed between Brooklyn Park and School District to address youth nicotine epidemic.
- Student representative criticizes placement of tobacco shops near schools as 'redlining'.
- Schools pivot from punitive measures like suspension to seeking rehabilitation for student tobacco users.
- Hennepin County data highlights 85-88% flavored product availability in local retail shops.
Notable Quotes (3)
If we're talking about easy access, it's right there. Where I used to live, there was an Arby's. Nobody likes Arby's. They took it out. They replaced it with a tobacco store.
Kids call them vapes. Public health calls ecigarettes. I'm using them interchangeably. And that that's really important because I want everybody to understand they're the same.
I often ask my kids you know if there were not flavors in tobacco products would you be interested many of will say no, but I often respond and say if you're not addicted, right?
People (6)
Tanya CrimsonSchool Board MemberFacilitating the joint meeting with the city council.
Facilitating the joint meeting with the city council.
Jackie StewartPublic Health RepresentativeHennepin County Public Health representative presenting local tobacco data.
1 quote
Hennepin County Public Health representative presenting local tobacco data.
“Adopting a flavored tobacco policy isn't the only thing the city can do... they can also look at licensing and zoning policies.”
Discussing policy options for the city.
Elise Lavine LossTobacco Free Alliance RepresentativeProviding overview of commercial tobacco threats and industry tactics.
1 quote
Providing overview of commercial tobacco threats and industry tactics.
“The tobacco industry's influence keeps commercial tobacco a major public health threat.”
Opening remarks on the impact of tobacco.
Brian BassAssistant SuperintendentOIO Area Schools administrator focusing on equity and achievement.
OIO Area Schools administrator focusing on equity and achievement.
Christa BrenaChemical Dependency CounselorChemical dependency counselor at OIO Senior High School.
1 quote
Chemical dependency counselor at OIO Senior High School.
“Chemical health is mental health.”
Connecting vaping and substance use to mental health issues.
Naomi CooperStudent School Board RepresentativeSenior at Park Center Senior High School.
1 quote
Senior at Park Center Senior High School.
“It's about working with the students. What can we do after that? The progress after.”
Advocating for rehabilitation over suspension for student users.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (1)
- Joint work session between City Council and OIO School Board
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
School board and city council collaboration
Local tobacco retail landscape in Brooklyn Park
Impact of nicotine on adolescent brain development
Policy solutions for tobacco retail (licensing, zoning, flavors)
Student perspectives on vaping and access
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