The Dance of Local Tobacco Legislation November September 2005 Robert Peterson, M.P.H. Office of Tobacco Licensing County of Riverside Department of Public Health
The Problem Selected Riverside County Cities’ Sales to Minors Rate Countywide- 44% –Riverside- 65% –Palm Desert- 50% –Banning- 33% –Corona- 29% –Indio- 16% Based on sting operations,
Steps To Licensing Coalition Strategy Survey Letters of Support Youth Commission Building the Case Walking the Board Final Vote
The Survey Random selection from the community Unscientific study Using the results –90%+ said underage tobacco use was a serious public health problem –86% favorable attitude toward licensing tobacco (similar to alcohol) Smokers and non-smokers included in survey
Youth Commission One appointed to each of five supervisorial districts. Meet in Board Chambers. Identify youth problems Propose solutions to youth problems. Extremely valuable in licensing process.
Framing The Issue 1. S ales to Minors 2. E conomic Impact of Tobacco Use 3. P roduct Regulation
Need A License?
Upstream vs. Downstream Today’s underage smoker is tomorrow’s emphysema and cancer patient. Low SES individuals smoke at twice the rate of middle income individuals. Tax payer burden will continue to grow UNLESS…
Walking The Board
Features of Ordinance No. 838 Riverside County Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance Annual renewable license. License fee- $350 annually. No mobile sales of tobacco. Must comply with all federal, state and local tobacco laws. Age of clerk selling tobacco must be at least 18. License revocation on first offense. Department of Public Health is lead agency for oversight, regulation and enforcement. No net cost to the county.
The Vote September 13, VICTORY!
“It is much easier to lead the revolution, than it is to govern.”