ACTIVISM
Tobacco Flavor Ban
In November of 2022, California voters upheld Senate Bill (SB) 793, prohibiting tobacco retailers from selling most flavored tobacco products. SB 793 prohibits the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and tobacco flavor enhancers.
Our unified goal is to ensure that retailers in every city in the county of Marin know about, and respect, SB 793. We aim to ensure that flavored tobacco products, as described under SB 793, are not sold in Marin County.
Flavor Ban Updates in Local Marin County Jurisdictions:
San Rafael approved and adopted Flavored Tobacco Ban which will go into effect on January 1, 2021
San Anselmo passed a ban on all flavored tobacco products from being sold which will go into effect on January 1, 2020
Larkspur passed a ban on all flavored tobacco products from being sold which will go into effect on January 1,2020
Corte Madera passed a ban on all flavored tobacco products from being sold which will go into effect on January 1, 2020
Marin County Unincorporated passed a ban on all flavored tobacco products from being sold in November, 2018
Sausalito approved Tobacco Retail License ordinance and Banned Flavored Tobacco (including menthol) from being sold July 31, 2018
Tiburon, approved amendment change to Smoke Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance incorporating condos June 20, 2018
Fairfax, approved Tobacco Retail License ordinance and incorporated a ban on flavored products with exemptions for menthol and small cigars and cigarillos January, 2018.
Novato updated their flavor-ban to include menthol in September 2021
Click HERE for more information.
100% Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing
Throughout 2023, members of the Youth Advocacy Committee conducted informative presentations aimed at educating community members and partner organizations about advantages, disadvantages, and potential for community-level change associated with smoke-free multi-unit housing policies. YAC members also wrote and submitted letters to local publications, including the Marin IJ, Novato Patch, and Pacific Sun, one of which was published:
Youth Advocacy Committee Letter to the Editor (Marin IJ) Publication:
Smoke-free multi-unit housing proposals are key
The concept of smoke-free multi-unit housing offers a foolproof outlet for combatting the drastic and unnecessary health issues caused by secondhand smoke. Health studies show that residents within these housing situations are facing severe lung diseases for no inherent reason, and needed a solution yesterday.
Approving the recent proposal for smoke-free multi-unit housing in Sausalito would certainly limit secondhand smoke exposure among residents. This is what I believe to be that solution.
The health risks have long since been identified, but what I find more concerning is how much exposure residents in multi-unit housing are facing. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), more than one in three nonsmokers who live in rental housing have been and are being exposed. Forty percent of those living in that situation are children.
There is no realistic way to hinder, much less avoid, these residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke without a complete ban. The CDPH, among other organizations, has identified smoke’s ability to drift through walls, air ducts, windows and doors, so it is clear that the solution does not lie within an interior compromise.
I strongly support those who have been pushing for smoke-free multi-unit housing and understand the weight of its application for the lives of these residents. The solution for an issue like this is proving to the elected officials of Sausalito that this proposal will not just slip under the rug. Members of the city council need to hear a call to action, so write an email, make a call, and do whatever is necessary to get their attention, these residents cannot do it alone.
— Jude Paine, Strawberry
In April of 2023, Sausalito became the final Marin County jurisdiction to pass a smoke-free multi-unit housing ordinance. The Youth Advocacy Committee now aims to ensure that local residents are aware of their rights and empowered to advocate for the enforcement of local smoke-free ordinances.
To submit a complaint regarding (1) drifting tobacco smoke, (2) marijuana smoke, or (3) toxic aerosols from vapes or electronic smoking devices, please click HERE.
To learn more about smoke-free multi-unit housing policy, please see the resources below:
Tobacco Minimum Price Policy
Tobacco minimum price policies set a price below which a certain tobacco product cannot be sold. Minimum price laws aim to de-incentivize the purchase of tobacco products. The Youth Advocacy Committee continues to present to youth and adult community members and organizations on the topic of tobacco minimum price policy. During the 2024 school year, YAC interns will connect with policy-makers to inform them about minimum price policy and its applicability in Marin County.
To learn more about tobacco minimum price policies:
Educational Initiatives and Events
Athletics Against Tobacco Webinar
A group of YAC summer volunteers planned, designed, and executed an educational webinar highlighting the intersection of athletics and tobacco. Hosting four phenomenal speakers, YAC engaged over 30 participants in educational content and thought-provoking discussion. A recording of the webinar is available below.