Bid to Ban Self-Serve Cigarettes Falls Short

A group of Estancia High School students learned a tough civics lesson this week after a proposal to outlaw self-service cigarette dispensers failed.

Four teenagers had asked the City Council to forbid stores and markets to use displays that allow customers to reach for their own tobacco. The teens contended that shoplifting from the counter is easy and defeats clerks who ask for identification.

But a council majority rejected the idea, saying the law is redundant and unfairly punishes businesses. Mayor Peter Buffa and Councilmen Joe Erickson and Gary Monahan voted against, while Councilwomen Libby Cowan and Heather K. Somers were in favor.

“I won’t be able to support it because it’s a duplicate ordinance,” Buffa said. “It’s illegal to sell cigarettes to minors.”

Because the law would have to be universal, it also would apply to cigar and tobacco stores, which were not the intended targets. Legal exceptions for those types of stores would not hold up, City Atty. Thomas Kathe said.

The teens, who spent several months on the project they called Speak Out!, were disappointed with the decision. With help from Tustin-based Camp Fire Boys and Girls, they initially made their proposal in June and spent the summer preparing.

“I am very disappointed with the City Council, especially the mayor, the mayor pro tem and Erickson for missing the point and not really listening to what we have to say,” said Aivan Nguyen, 17.

Becca Silva, 16, said she was surprised, since the proposal won easy approval in July from the Advisory Committee of Teens, a panel that reviews youth issues for the City Council.

“I have no idea why they wouldn’t be in support of something that would be so helpful,” she said.

The council majority did, however, commend the teenagers for attempting to reduce teen smoking.