Council Backs Plan Requiring Permits to Sell Tobacco
The City Council gave initial approval Wednesday to an ordinance that would require retailers to obtain permits to sell tobacco.
Under City Atty. James K. Hahn’s proposed tobacco enforcement program, retailers each year would obtain a free tobacco sales permit from the city. If retailers are caught selling tobacco to a minor, they could lose their permit for up to a year.
The ordinance--which also bans the use of self-service tobacco displays--received initial approval with a 11-1 vote. Nate Holden cast the dissenting vote, saying the proposed penalties were not severe enough. The council will vote on the ordinance again next week.
Hahn said that to monitor compliance, two teams of investigators and underage “sting” operatives would attempt to buy cigarettes at stores in about 1,000 spot checks annually. He said a toll-free telephone number would also be established for reporting violations.
The program is expected to cost $750,000 annually, money that will be paid out of the city’s tobacco settlement funds.
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