Title
a. Receive a joint presentation from the County of Monterey Health Department, Environmental Health Bureau, District Attorney’s office, and Sheriff’s Office regarding Tobacco Retail License program updates, enforcement actions, grant activities, and next steps; and
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a joint presentation from the County of Monterey Health Department, Environmental Health Bureau, District Attorney’s office, and Sheriff’s Office regarding Tobacco Retail License program updates, enforcement actions, grant activities, and next steps; and
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
The Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) will provide an update on the Tobacco Retail License (TRL) program, including routine compliance checks, implementation of the administrative citation process with increased fines, ordinance and policy considerations, and strengthened coordination with partner agencies. The District Attorney’s Office will provide an update on enforcement collaboration with EHB, including the review of violations and development of potential civil enforcement actions. The Sheriff's Office will provide an update on youth decoy operations and an interdepartmental agreement with the Health Department regarding the use of JUUL settlement funds for Tobacco Retail Enforcement.
DISCUSSION:
In 2012, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 5200, adding Chapter 7.80 to the County Code to establish licensing requirements for tobacco retailers in the unincorporated area. The purpose of this ordinance is to reduce illegal tobacco sales to youth through proactive education, compliance checks, and enforcement.
On May 6, 2025, the Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office provided an update on the tobacco retail license statute enforcement and alignment with the new Department of Justic...
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