MOB:
From:
To: Clerk
Subject: March 13th City Council Agenda Item 2
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 12:27:52 PM
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Fresno AHA Support Letter March 11th FINAL.pdf
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Please see attached letter related to item 2 on the March 13th regular city council meeting agenda.
Best,
Blythe
Blythe Young
Community Advocacy Director
American Heart Association
O 7078344399 | M
Privacy policy: www.Heart.org/Privacy
[ADVENTISTHEALTH:INTERNAL]
Central Valley/ Kern County Division
www.heart.org
The American Heart Association urges the City of Fresno to adopt a comprehensive Tobacco Retail License Ordinance to mirror the best practice standards set forth by the Public Health Law Center and establish minimum compliance checks for all tobacco retailers in Fresno. This will reduce access to the products that are the tobacco industry’s key strategy for targeting and addicting new smokers, Fresno’s youth. It will also provide an escalating penalty structure for those not following the law that concludes in a license revocation and permanent inability to sell tobacco.
A policy is only as strong as enforcement and flavored tobacco restriction needs a strong Tobacco Retail License (TRL) to be effective. Strong TRLs include: a fee that includes administrative and compliance monitoring to cover the total cost of enforcement, a minimum number of compliance checks per year with rechecks upon violation, an escalating fine/suspension penalty structure that applies to the owner/licensee and a clear statement that enforcement applies to the license holder not individuals who purchase, use or possess tobacco products.
The tobacco industry is actively and aggressively working to addict new young people, particularly those from communities of color, with flavored tobacco products. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, claiming on average 480,000 lives each year. Evidence shows that smoking increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. It increases the risk for blood clots, decreases the ability to exercise, and decreases the good cholesterol in our bodies. The best way to prevent tobacco-related illness and death is to prevent people from starting to smoke in the first place.
Adopting a comprehensive TRL to include 2025 best practices for compliance and implementation will help protect our community from tobacco addiction and is crucial to preventing tobacco-related death and disease. The American Heart Association respectfully asks for your support of this vital health policy.
Sincerely,
Lisa A. Kreber, Ph.D., CBIS, CPHQ
Board Member, Central Valley & Kern County Division
American Heart Association
March 11th, 2025
Fresno City Council
2600 Fresno St
Fresno, CA 93721
From: Angelica
To: Clerk; P
Subject: Subject: Public Comment: Agenda Date 3/11/2025; ID: 25-311 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 10:29:29 PM
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Hello,
I would like to submit a public comment for item:
25-311:
Tobacco and Vapor Sales, Smoke Shops, Definitions; that will be heard tomorrow 3/11 at 9:15am. Below is my
comment.
"My name is Angelica Garcia and I am a resident of the City of Fresno under District 4
and member of the Fresno County Tobacco-
Free Coalition. While the Coalition appreciates the intentions behind the smoke shop ordinance, we also ask
the City Council to consider
the public health impacts of all tobacco retailers in our community. Regardless of store type, these stores contribute to the
oversaturation of tobacco availability and exacerbate health inequalities in Fresno. Unfortunately, the Smoke Shop Ordinance and existing ordinances, such as the Responsible Neighborhood Market
Act, do not regulate tobacco products, including
flavors. While smoke shops are a concern, the need to address illegal tobacco sales among all types of
tobacco retailers is
apparent, and a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) can be part of a sustainable solution.
The Fresno County Tobacco-Free Coalition is
well-versed in TRL ordinances and can provide technical assistance and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to
discuss this matter
and continue collaborating with Council on this critical public health issue. I
ask that you please consider this and protect our youth and vulnerable communities. Thank you"
Thank you,
Angelica Garcia