Edina and St. Louis Park became the first two Minnesota cities to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21, and similar proposals are being considered in Mankato. Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger says it continues to be one of the major public health issues that needs to be addressed.

Ehlinger is also concerned about discussions taking place in Washington; he says majority of the conversation has centered on the health insurance piece of the Affordable Care Act, but a huge piece of ACA is related to public health issues that include home visits, immunizations, lead poisoning, and a host of others.