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Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division, Tobacco Use Prevention Program and the Planning and Building Department recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation on Tobacco Retail Density and Zoning Education; and
2) Provide direction to staff on the development of a Tobacco Retail Zoning Regulation and if the Board wants to pursue a Tobacco Retail Zoning Regulation, adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution of Intention 179-2023 to amend Title 130 of the County Zoning Ordinance.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
HHSA Public Health Division (PHD), Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP) aims to reduce tobacco use and its associated harms in the County of El Dorado (County). TUPP focuses on several key objectives including: reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco residue, and waste; decreasing the availability of harmful tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and smokeless tobacco; and actively promoting tobacco cessation. TUPP is committed to creating a healthier and smoke-free environment for communities throughout the County.
In 2022, a parent's concern about their child's exposure to tobacco prompted a member of the Board to reach out to TUPP. Concerning data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed a youth vaping epidemic with over 2.5 million middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use and nearly half (46%) of high schoolers who vape do so almost daily. On November 2, 2022, a special town hall meeting focused on youth vaping was held at Herbert Green Middle School. During this meeting, community concerns about the locations of tobacco retailers were identified, and TUPP was asked to look into potential zoning regulations with the Planning and Building Department.
After meeting with the Planning and Building Department, TUPP met with the GIS Manager in the Surveyor’s office who demonstrated the capability to map tobacco retail stores in relation to youth sensitive si...
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