El Dorado County is putting a hold on accepting tobacco retailer business applications in its unincorporated areas, which became effective Jan. 30 after the Board of Supervisors approved an interim moratorium.
A rapid rise in tobacco businesses in the county has leaders concerned; 52 new licenses have been issued since 2020, which equates to a 36% increase of tobacco retail businesses in El Dorado County.
The increase in tobacco businesses was described as "disturbing" to county supervisors, who worry about a rise in youth using tobacco products, including vape products. Board Chair Wendy Thomas noted local school superintendents are noticing a "large increase of youth using tobacco."
"Our kids are our most sacred responsibility, and I appreciate that we are very thoughtfully looking into what make sense for our county to protect our kids, which are our most vulnerable population," Thomas said.Â
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.6% of middle school students nationwide have been reported to use some type of tobacco product in 2023. That number is a jump from 4.5% in 2022.Â
Additionally, it has been reported that 12.6% of high school students use tobacco products.Â
A total of 143 tobacco retailers currently operate in El Dorado County.Â
The county's Tobacco Use Prevention Program Director Constance Mote said her staff will return to the board March 12 with a presentation on tobacco licensing and zoning and will expect supervisors to direct staff to "meet needs of the community."
"This urgency ordinance will provide protection for more proliferation of tobacco retailers in the interim while a longer term licensing and zoning solution is developed," Mote said. Â
It is unclear how long the moratorium will last, but supervisors were unanimous in voting for the temporary block in new tobacco business.Â
"It has been a long time coming and I'm glad we have arrived at this point," said District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl. "It is not over yet, but I think we are making great strides in that progress."Â
Efforts to ban tobacco products and shops, or to implement restrictions on their operations, can be seen happening across California.Â
Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020 signed into law a ban on all flavored tobacco products, which went into effect in 2022.Â
In Contra Costa County the Brentwood City Council voted to continue a ban on new tobacco shops through September 2024.Â
The city of Fresno proposed an ordinance that prevents tobacco retailers from selling e-cigarettes. Among other provisions, stores would not be allowed to have outdoor or window advertising and would be prevented from operating within 1,000 feet of another tobacco retailer or near "sensitive areas," including schools.Â
This county lost all credibility when SLT approved its marijuana lounge for indoor pot smoking. If this was a marijuana dispensary issue, the county would not have issued a moratorium. Children under 21 can't legally buy tobacco, matches, or a lighter and I fail to see the connection between the number of stores that sell adult products and the increase in youth smoking. It's efforts like this that show how hypocritical our government is.
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This county lost all credibility when SLT approved its marijuana lounge for indoor pot smoking. If this was a marijuana dispensary issue, the county would not have issued a moratorium. Children under 21 can't legally buy tobacco, matches, or a lighter and I fail to see the connection between the number of stores that sell adult products and the increase in youth smoking. It's efforts like this that show how hypocritical our government is.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.