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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Environmental Management Department (EMD) recommending the Board:
1) Receive an economic analysis of the potential impacts of tobacco regulations from Planning and Building, included in Attachment G;
2) Receive and file a presentation (Attachment A) that outlines options for the Board’s consideration, regarding Tobacco Zoning Ordinance 5210 and Tobacco Retail License (TRL) Ordinance 5211;
3) Provide direction to staff regarding the next steps to take for Ordinance 5210 and 5211, from the options as follows:
a) Repeal both Tobacco Zoning Ordinance 5210 and TRL Ordinance 5211 and end local tobacco regulations; or
b) Repeal TRL Ordinance 5211 and make updates to Tobacco Zoning Ordinance 5210; or
c) Modify both Tobacco Zoning Ordinance 5210 and TRL Ordinance 5211; or
d) Maintain the current Tobacco Zoning Ordinance 5210 and Modify TRL Ordinance 5211; or
e) Provide other direction to staff.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In 2022, a parent's concern about youth exposure to tobacco prompted the Board to engage with the Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP). At the same time, the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed a youth vaping epidemic, with over 2.5 million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes and 46% of high school users vaping almost daily. In response, a town hall meeting was held on November 2, 2022, at Herbert Green Middle School, where community concerns about the location of tobacco retailers near youth-centered areas were raised. These discussions helped shape the development of Ordinance 5210 and Ordinance 5211, as part of a broader strategy to reduce youth access to tobacco products.
Prior to their passage, HHSA conducted community and retailer outreach to help guide the development of the Ordinances 5210 and 5211. On October 22, 2024, the Board approved Ordinance 5210, to add tobacco retailer land use regulations, and on November 5, 2024, the Board approved Ordinance 52...
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