To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Discussion Regarding the Potential for a Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a report from Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health; and
2. Authorize staff to draft a Tobacco Retail Licensing ordinance to be considered by the Board at a later date.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175)
DISCUSSION:
In Humboldt County, tobacco smoking causes or contributes to 34% of all deaths. Humboldt County's DHHS - Public Health, Tobacco-Free Humboldt Program works to prevent tobacco use by providing community education and legal technical assistance to jurisdictions interested in pursuing policies that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce the availability of tobacco, especially among youth. Staff does this work together with the Tobacco Education Network, a community coalition, and other community partners with common goal of promoting health in our community. Currently a focus of this policy work is supporting healthy choices in the retail environment. A January 2022 survey of 37 tobacco retailers in county unincorporated areas resulted in an underage purchase rate of 54%. 60% of Humboldt ninth graders and 67% of eleventh graders report it is "fairly" or "very" easy to obtain vape (e-cigarette) products. Tobacco retail licensing (TRL) ordinances have been enacted in 219 jurisdictions in California. They enable jurisdictions to have local control over the types of tobacco products sold, the number of retailers, and their location. They are an effective tool to limit youth access to tobacco and reduce tobacco-related mortality. Program administration and enforcement are funded by licensing fees paid by tobacco retailers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact for receiving a report regarding tobacco retail licensing. Should an ord...
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