San Luis Obispo County Tobacco Control Program Tobacco Retail Licensing in the City of San Luis Obispo 2003

Workplan Objective By June 30, 2004, a minimum of 2 jurisdictions within San Luis Obispo County will adopt tobacco retail licensing policies. The Intervention Plan included activities under all of the following categories. *Community Education Activities *Coordination/Collaboration Activities *Educational Material Development *Media Activities *Policy Activities

Community Education Activities Educate coalition members with 1-2 presentations about the proposed tobacco retail license policy. Meet with Public Health Agency Director/Health Officer as well as City/County Administrator to determine support for the licensing policy. Develop information packet that includes a copy of the new or revised law(s), any necessary signage and educational brochure explaining the new or revised laws.

Coordination/Collaboration Activities Collaborate with TALC regarding any new tobacco control laws, strategies and policy development. Collaborate and coordinate with SLO Tobacco Control Coalition, SLO County youth coalitions, ACS, ALA, AHA to assist in finding a “champion” to promote tobacco retail licensing.

Educational Materials Development Coordinate with TECC to develop educational packet for distribution to city leaders, officials, and policy makers in selected jurisdictions. Important information included: *Benefits of tobacco retail licensing *Youth purchase survey data *Enforcement and compliance information *Sample Policy

Policy Activities Conduct a minimum of one youth purchase survey or tobacco sting in selected jurisdictions. Through 1-2 face-to-face meetings, provide 4-6 hours of technical assistance to policy makers about tobacco retail licensing. Recruit adult and youth coalition members to attend city council or board of supervisor meetings.

Media Activities Publicize stores who do and don’t sell in 1- 2 press releases. Publicize enactment of the new policy with a minimum of 1 press release in each jurisdiction.

Launching The Objective Two Critical Elements 1. Holes or weaknesses of other licensing ordinances. 2. Enforcement issues

Launching The Objective Research Staff researched most of the licensing ordinances that had passed and made calls to counties to learn about challenges, barriers, suggestions, tips and most of all who had the most comprehensive ordinance.

Launching The Objective What we learned from our research! Chose Berkeley's ordinance as a model. To date, they had the most comprehensive ordinance which was concurred by TALC. The Missing Component: ENFORCEMENT

Development of the Ordinance Used Berkeley's ordinance as a template and worked extensively with TALC to include pertinent language. Enforcement language. * Enforcement being one of the key ingredients to an effective ordinance. * Included dollar amount that would go to the PD to conduct the sting operations. * How many stings per year and how many locations * Penalties for noncompliance

Enforcement TCP Staff met with police chief. TCP Staff assured the chief that we would collaborate on an ongoing basis to provide the police department with any help or support that we could. (e.g. researching preliminary enforcement costs, providing and training youth to do the stings, and assisting with any notification to the retail locations).

Objective in Motion Sting operation conducted in November 2002 Decided to move forward with this objective earlier than planned based on the November sting (52% noncompliance). Selected a champion. Preliminary education was done with council member champion and city staff prior to council meeting. Very important they understand the issue.

Objective in Motion Coalition suggested the city adopt a licensing policy during public comment at a council meeting. The council champion supported the suggestions of the coalition and recommended city staff research ways the youth access problem could be addressed, including licensing. All 5 council members concurred.

Objective in Motion This is where Tobacco Control staff stepped in. Implemented our research Chose Berkeley’s ordinance as a model.

Objective in Motion Developed model. Worked very closely with Randy Kline from TALC. Developed education packet which was distributed by coalition to all council members, city attorney, city administration and the chief of police. Items included list of other counties with licensing, newspaper article regarding the sting, sample ordinance, pros/cons, county vs. state stats, etc.

Objective in Motion TCP staff met with city attorney and city staff numerous times. Purpose: -Get feedback -Assist them with research -Educate them about licensing and how it could be a reasonable solution to the youth access problem in TCP Staff provided the model, the justification for such an ordinance, statistical data that supported licensing, etc.

Objective in Motion TCP staff provided city staff with cost/revenue scenarios to assist them in determining the licensing fee. Details of the scenarios accessible on the STORE website.

Objective in Motion City Council Meetings Took 3 meetings for the ordinance to pass. Several issues were explored including signage, conditional use permits and licensing. TCP staff and Coalition focused on licensing, which from earlier meetings, was our best chance of success and our primary goal.

Summary Did our homework. Prepared education packages that were easy to understand but complete. Proposed a very comprehensive ordinance that would provide $$ for enforcement. Provided help to city staff regarding development and research. Pledged continued support.