Agenda Item No: K.3
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-02 PD California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program Grant
Approving Acceptance of the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program Grant and Approval of Activities to Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco Products, Support Statewide Tobacco Laws and Reduce Crime Impacting our Community Around Tobacco Retailers
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Dan Marshall, (707) 428-7374
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Fairfield Police Department’s Code Enforcement Unit has applied for and received tentative approval for a tobacco safety grant from the California Department of Justice, funded through the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56).
The grant award of $795,408 will support a range of public safety and quality -of-life initiatives, including the development of a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) ordinance, retailer education, routine compliance inspections, minor de coy operations, prosecution support, and other enforcement measures aimed at reducing crime and unlawful activity in and around tobacco retail establishments.
DISCUSSION
The California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program provides funding to local agencies to reduce youth access to tobacco products, strengthen compliance with state tobacco laws, and improve safety around tobacco retail locations. Through this program, the Fairfield Police Department’s Code Enforcement Unit has been tentatively awar ded $795,408 to develop and implement a comprehensive tobacco licensing, education, and enforcement program.
At present, the City of Fairfield does not have a TRL ordinance. Without a TRL program, the city has limited ability to routinely monitor retailer compliance, prevent illegal sales to minors, or address criminal activity occurring in and around tobacco retail establishments. Implementing a TRL program through this grant will align Fairfield with statewide best practices and support long- term public health and safety goals.
Youth tobacco use data highlights a clear public health concern in Fairfield. According to the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District California Healthy Kids Survey (2022 –23), self-reported tobacco and vape use within the past 30 days shows:
12% of 7th graders
26% of 9th graders
36% of 11th graders
These numbers indicate increasing experimentation and use among older students. Statewide results from the 2023 California Youth Tobacco Survey show that 21.6% of high school students have used tobacco and 7.3% currently use tobacco, meaning Fairfield’s youth use rates are comparatively higher.
Compliance challenges are also evident. In April 2024, Solano County Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program conducted compliance checks at 53 tobacco retailers in Fairfield. Of those, 14 retailers sold flavored tobacco products —primarily vape devices —to underage secret shoppers.
Beyond public health, tobacco retailers present notable public safety impacts. Between November 2022 and 2025:
8,234 Part I crimes occurred on or within 1,000 feet of a tobacco retail store—an average of 121 incidents per location
280,350 calls for service were recorded in the same area, an average of 1,374 calls per location over the three-year period
These concentrations suggest that tobacco retailers, particularly in high-density areas, contribute to increased service demands and crime activity. Fairfield currently has more than 73 tobacco retail stores, with 35 located on North Texas Street alone, demonstrating a saturation level that provides little community benefit.
The proposed grant-funded activities, including creation of a TRL ordinance, retailer education, compliance inspections, minor decoy operations, and enforcement measures—will allow the City to better regulate this industry, reduce unlawful sales, improve public health outcomes, and enhance safety in and around tobacco retail locations.
Approval of the resolution will allow the City to accept the grant funds and begin implementation of these important public health and public safety initiatives.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
With the acceptance of the grant, the Police Department will receive $795,408. The grant funding will cover overtime costs, administrative costs, and attorney cost s for Police Department personnel participating in grant -related activities. A Special Programs Fund will be used for the grant (Fund 155, Division, Responsibility code 50199, and Project code 10625).
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
City Council may choose not to accept the grant funding.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Jeremy Profitt, Police Support Manager
(707) 428-7709
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed MOU
Attachment 4: Tobacco Grant Award Letter