Under the leadership of many counties in California, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors recently passed an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco in response to public health risks associated with youth smoking. This ban applies to all tobacco retailers in the county, including those in the Hollister and San Juan Bautista city limits. The five-member board unanimously voted to pass the ban on August 9th. The ordinance also prohibits the sale of disposable e-cigarettes countywide.
According to officials and the public from Hollister and San Benito County, the ban on flavored tobacco products has been in place for some time. County officials report that currently, 132 counties and cities in California have prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products. Over the last few years, similar laws have been adopted in Monterey, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. Nick Cullen, deputy director of public health for San Benito County, told the committee that the law passed on August 9 is "very similar" to the one implemented in Monterey County.
According to a report by county officials, the San Benito County Government Intergovernmental Committee - which includes representatives from the cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista - has been at the forefront of efforts to control the impact of tobacco on the community. The committee members have been supportive of a ban on flavored tobacco products. County officials have noted that banning flavored tobacco and disposable e-cigarettes is the "right thing to do" as these products are often blamed for the rise in smoking among children under the age of 18. The county's public health department has even made it a priority to ban these types of products.
There is overwhelming and indisputable evidence that teenagers prefer flavored tobacco," said Kollin Kosmicki, a member of the intergovernmental committee in charge. "It's time to do the right thing, at least to protect our children." According to county officials, data shows that the rate of tobacco use among teenagers in San Benito County is higher than the statewide average. Based on the 2017-18 California Health Kids Survey, 29% of 11th grade students in San Benito County have used e-cigarettes and 11% have smoked cigarettes; 16% of 9th grade students have used e-cigarettes and 5% have smoked cigarettes.
Officials in San Benito County report that nearly 32% of teenagers in the area have reported using e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime. The county employees informed their supervisors that companies that produce and sell flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, little cigars, smokeless tobacco, and hookah tobacco, typically package and advertise their products in a way that appeals to children. The report goes on to state that on June 6th, public health officials worked with law enforcement and local youth in Hollister to conduct a "compliance check" at all 27 tobacco retailers in the area. In the sting operation, eight of the stores sold tobacco products to underage buyers without requesting identification to prove their age. Of those, six purchases were for flavored tobacco.
One possible solution to this problem, according to county officials, is to ban disposable e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products. "In San Benito County, over 60% of tobacco retailers sell flavored tobacco products, which could ultimately end up in the hands of our young people," the officials reported. "Among young people who have used tobacco, over 80% started with flavored tobacco products. By banning flavored tobacco products, this will help prevent youth tobacco use.
There are currently 38 licensed tobacco retailers in San Benito County. County officials report that this includes 27 in Hollister, four in San Juan Bautista, and seven in unincorporated areas. On August 9th, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that makes selling e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products illegal for any tobacco retailer. Retailers will now be held responsible for their employees' compliance with this regulation.
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