FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: June 24, 2024
Subject: Annual Updates on the Tobacco Retail License and Secondhand Smoke Ordinances
Submitted For: Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health Services
Department: Health Services
Referral No: 112 & 82
Referral Name: Policy Options for Protecting Youth from Tobacco Influences in the Retail Environment & Secondhand Smoke Ordinance
Presenter: Dr. Sefanit Mekuria, MD, MPH; and Mayra Lopez
Contact: Jason Chan, (925) 655-2050
Referral History:
FHS Referral No. 112 - Policy Options for Protecting Youth from Tobacco Influences in the Retail Environment
The Board of Supervisors approved two tobacco control ordinances in July 2017 to protect youth from tobacco influences in the retail environment: a zoning ordinance and a tobacco retailer licensing ordinance. Of particular concern were the marketing and availability of youth-friendly flavored tobacco products, small pack sizes of cigars and cigarillos, and density and location of tobacco retailers, since these contribute largely to youth exposure to tobacco influences and tobacco use.
The tobacco retailer licensing ordinance required extensive preparation for implementation, and tobacco retailers were required to be compliant with the new provisions by January 1, 2018. Health Services Department Public Health staff provided a report to the Board of Supervisors in March 2018 on preliminary implementation efforts.
In November 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 2019-34 (Sale of Electronic Smoking Devices and E-Liquids Prohibited) which increased the protections for youth from tobacco influences in the retail environment. Ordinance 2019-34 was a necessary response to an epidemic rise in youth vaping where young people were vulnerable to tobacco addiction as well as concerns related to E-cigarette/Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). The ordinance also expanded the restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco in all areas of the unincorpora...
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