Tobacco Retail Licences

What are tobacco retail licenses?

A tobacco retail license (TRL) is a mechanism that jurisdictions can use as a means to regulate the sale of commercial tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes (vapes). They also enable local jurisdictions to implement more comprehensive rules that regulate tobacco sales and protect public health. TRLs can be issued at both the state and local levels.

Tobacco Retail Licenses in Marin County: What You Need to Know

In Marin County, each jurisdiction currently requires tobacco retailers to obtain and maintain a local tobacco retail license (TRL) in addition to the state-level tobacco retail license issued by California. While the specifics of Marin TRLs vary slightly, most jurisdictions follow the same basic rules. The key regulations outlined in Marin County's TRLs include:

  • A ban on flavored nicotine products (per California statewide law)

  • A ban on the sale of nicotine products in pharmacies, except for FDA-approved quit products

  • A requirement that tobacco and nicotine products must be stored behind the counter

In most jurisdictions, the Sheriff's Department is responsible for enforcing TRLs and has the authority to suspend licenses if violations occur.

The Youth Advocacy Committee’s Vision:

Our long-term vision is for Marin County to prioritize the health and well-being of the next generation of youth in Marin by ending the sale of commercial tobacco across the county. The first step toward this goal is reducing access to nicotine-containing products and addressing the predatory marketing practices used by the tobacco industry to addict individuals. Tobacco retail licenses (TRLs) offer a pathway to achieve this, providing a means to regulate and limit the sale of tobacco products. By updating the existing TRLs across Marin, we can better protect youth and foster a community free from the harms of nicotine addiction.

Proposed TRL Updates:

Establish a minimum price.

Minimum Price Policies (MPPs) set a floor for tobacco product prices, preventing them from being sold below a certain dollar amount. By making tobacco less affordable, MPPs reduce the incentive to purchase, especially among youth with more limited disposable income. These policies have been shown to decrease teen tobacco use by encouraging price-sensitive users to quit and discouraging new users. A study by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that for every 10% price increase, adult smoking rates drop by 4%, and youth smoking rates fall by 7%. Implementing MPPs in Marin County can reduce the accessibility of tobacco products for young people. Learn more about minimum price policies by clicking here.

Establish a minimum pack size.

A minimum pack size policy requires tobacco products to be sold in packs with a set number of items. For example, the FDA requires that all cigarettes in the US must be sold in packs of 20. Cigarettes cannot be sold individually. Increasing the pack size makes tobacco products less affordable and accessible, particularly for youth. Smaller packs, often called "kiddie packs," are cheaper and easier for teens to purchase, lowering the barrier for youth to try tobacco. They are also more discreet, making them appealing to underage users. Larger packs raise the upfront cost, deterring teens from initiating tobacco use. By mandating larger pack sizes, we can reduce youth tobacco initiation and prevent early addiction. Learn more about minimum pack policies by clicking here.

End the Use of Promotions & Discounts

Every year, the tobacco industry spends over $5.4 billion on price discounts to make tobacco products more affordable, particularly for price-sensitive groups like youth. Discounts and coupons are often used to bypass minimum price policies, allowing the industry to maintain low prices even when a tobacco retail license (TRL) sets a minimum price. Ending the use of these promotional tools is crucial in preventing nicotine addiction in Marin by eliminating the financial incentive for people to start or continue using tobacco, while closing the loophole the tobacco industry uses to keep prices low. Learn more about ending promotions and discounts by clicking here.

End the Sale of E-Cigarettes (Vapes)

Vapes are the most popular nicotine product among teens, a result of the tobacco industry's targeting of young people with cheap, addictive products. Vapes harm not just the heart and lungs, but also the developing brain. To protect youth, we propose a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes in Marin. Neighboring counties like Sonoma, Alameda, and Contra Costa have already implemented such bans, and it’s crucial for Marin to follow suit to protect our community. Learn more about ending the sale of e-cigarettes by clicking here.

Take Action Now!

Show your support for updating tobacco retail licenses in Marin to protect our youth and community. Sign our petition today and help us push for stronger policies to reduce tobacco access. Click here to sign the petition!