Tobacco Retailer Licensing


The rate of tobacco sales to youth in recent local youth purchase surveys are alarming: thirty, forty, and sometimes even higher percentages of tobacco retailers surveyed have been willing to sell cigarettes illegally to minors. In response several years ago tobacco control advocates in California launched a new effort to end illegal sales of tobacco to minors. The strategy was to pass strong local tobacco retailer licensing ordinances.

What distinguishes these new ordinances from earlier, weaker versions is licensing fees high enough to fund strong enforcement programs, usually above $200 per retailer. Strong licensing ordinances also include financial deterrents through fines and penalties that include the suspension and revocation of the license. Over forty communities have passed strong ordinances so far, and more are on the way. 

The Center has commissioned a survey of rural and small town voters in California on tobacco retailer licensing.To read summaries and see the results of the poll, click here.

Table of Strong Tobacco Retailer Licensing Ordinances: June 2010

Matrix of Strong Tobacco Retailer Licensing Ordinances: June 2010

Cigarettes Generate Big Revenue for Convenience Stores: June 2010

Using Tobacco Retailer Licensing to Provide Penalties for Violation of State Drug Paraphernalia Laws: June 2009

Becoming a Policy Wonk on Tobacco Retailer Licensing: May 2009

Tobacco Retailer Licensing is Effective: May 2009

Licensing TALC Ordinance Checklist: June 2008

Myths & Realities of AB 71: September 2004

Six Arguments Supporting Tobacco Retailer Licensing: February 2005

Tobacco Retailer Licensing Talking Points: 2002 

Additional Resources

Challenge in Rural Communities: September 2006

City of Sacramento's New Licensing Ordinance: April 2004

Leveraging Youth Purchase Survey Data: March 2004

Campaign Spotlight-Yo Mateo: June 2003

San Mateo to Put Teeth into Local Licensing Law: June 2003

 

 



Bill Tracker CTPO Blog Follow Us