TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Haschak
MEETING DATE: October 6, 2020
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Haschak
PHONE:
4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 15 Min
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff to Prepare an Updated Tobacco Retail License Ordinance, Chapter 6.20 Licensure of Tobacco Retailers
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Direct County Counsel to prepare an update the Tobacco Retail License Ordinance, Chapter 6.20 Licensure of Tobacco Retailers.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
Adoption of original Tobacco Retail License Ordinance, Chapter 6.20 Licensure of Tobacco Retailers in 2008.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
The current TRL ordinance was adopted in 2008, before the widespread availability of electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly known as "vapes." In the years since their introduction, the popularity of these devices has risen sharply, especially among young people. Current studies show that 20% of high school students vape (cdc.gov). Discussions with our local high school principals reveal that vaping is popular among Mendocino County high school students. For example, on the 2018-19 California Healthy Kids Survey, 21% of Willits High School ninth graders reported vaping regularly. The health hazards of vaping include EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) as well as severe addiction and increased risk of cancer.
Vaping fluids contain nicotine, known to be highly addictive, and the electronic delivery of the nicotine is at a higher level than that received by smoking cigarettes, resulting in quick addiction. Vaping products are marketed to children through the use of flavors such as mango, bubble gum and candy cane. On August 28, 2020, the California legislature adopted Senate Bill 793, ending the retail sale of flavored tobacco products in the state. This law w...
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