Lacey Seeks Ban on Cigarette Machines

Following the lead of Camarillo and Thousand Oaks, Ventura County Supervisor Susan Lacey is proposing that the county adopt an ordinance banning cigarette vending machines in all locations within unincorporated areas except bars.

According to state figures, 16% of illegal sales of cigarettes to minors are from vending machines, Lacey wrote in a memo to the Board of Supervisors.

“Preventing access to tobacco by minors is an ongoing goal of public health experts,” wrote Lacey, a former smoker. “Because vending machines do not discriminate against customers, these devices can provide a ready source of tobacco products to underage youths.”

Lacey is requesting that the board direct County Counsel James McBride to draft an ordinance prohibiting the vending machines in locations within the unincorporated areas of the county. The law would not pertain to bars, which are off limits to minors.

Last year, Camarillo became the first city in the county to approve a similar vending machine ban, with Thousand Oaks following suit.