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EQCA.ORG
Fresno City Council
Fresno City Hall
2600 Fresno St
Fresno, CA 93721
Dear Honorable Fresno City Councilmembers,
Equality California respectfully urges the Fresno City Council to consider the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco retailer licensing (TRL) ordinance for the City of Fresno. Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. Our mission is to bring the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.
Tobacco companies are well known to target and exploit LGBTQ+ communities.
This is done through targeted marketing, distributing products or product discounts at Pride events, and doing outreach at other LGBTQ+ spaces. As a result, over 25% of young LGBTQ+ people report using tobacco via vape products which is twice the average compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
TRL is a comprehensive strategy used to protect these communities from tobacco exposure, access, and use. Strong, comprehensive local tobacco retailer licensing policies can help reduce the harmful impacts of the tobacco retail environment by regulating the sale and distribution of tobacco, while holding retailers accountable for complying with tobacco control laws.
Although California has a statewide licensing system that requires tobacco retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco products, over 230 local jurisdictions across the state have implemented their own local TRL policies to further regulate tobacco sales and enforce existing laws. The implementation of a TRL policy, including retailer education and an efficient enforcement mechanism, helps ensure that tobacco retailers are held accountable and follow local, state, and federal tobacco retail laws. A local TRL policy is an effective tool used to address community-based issues related to tobacco. Altogether, a comprehensive TRL can address the public health concerns within our local tobacco retail environment that disproportionately affect certain groups more than others.
Board of Directors
Juan Camacho
President
Jeff Freitas
Vice President
Rabbi Barbara Zacky
Secretary
Laurie Hasencamp
Treasurer
Katherine Forster
Governance Chair
Hon. Mark Gonzalez
At-Large Member
Hon. Daniel Arriola
Hon. Lena Gonzalez
Hon. Dallas Harris
Hon. Rafael Mandelman
Hon. Lisa Middleton
Hon. Stephanie Nguyen
Hon. Steve Padilla
David Ambroz
Robert Armenta
Alberto Bautista
Beth Collins
David Cruz
Ryan Harlow-Nakano
Alberto Nodal
Amy C. Quartarolo
Jirair Ratevosian
Amy Schneider
Equality California
1150 S Olive Street, 10th
Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
We know that the retail environment plays an essential role in our community, as it shapes the economic vitality, quality, and safety of our neighborhoods. It also influences the health of consumers including families and young people.
Research shows that being located near tobacco retailers normalizes tobacco use and influences youth to want to use these products. This is a huge concern, considering results from a 2019-2020 study, which showed that over half of students in Fresno County reported having a store that sold cigarettes, and over a third reported having a store that sold vapes within walking distance of their homes. Local data also shows that even though selling tobacco to minors has been illegal in California for over a century, illegal tobacco sales still occur in Fresno. In 2021, the Fresno Police Department conducted undercover youth purchase surveys with 141 retailers in Fresno and found that nearly a quarter of these stores sold tobacco to the minor decoy during these operations.
Unfortunately, the retail environment is still an avenue for young people to access tobacco products.
Equality California kindly asks that you consider supporting a comprehensive tobacco retail licensing policy for the City of Fresno. Please help us in our mission to ensure the well-being of our communities, especially our youth.
Sincerely,
Beatriz Baez
Equality California