Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers. My name is Jenny Tran, and I am a UC Berkeley student studying public health.
What stands out to me the most is how easy tobacco is for young people to access, even in a city like Piedmont. According to recent data, a majority of 12th graders say it's fairly or very easy to get vape products, and nearly half say the same about cigarettes.
That matters because tobacco addiction does not start in adulthood; it starts early. The easier it is to access these products locally, the more likely young people are to experiment and eventually be one addicted.
Right now, Piedmont has a rare opportunity. With no active tobacco retailers, you can act to protect youth from accessibility, availability, and initiation. This isn’t about taking something away; it’s about preventing a new generation from getting hooked in the first place.
Ending tobacco sales is one of the most direct ways to reduce youth exposure and protect these students from long-term health impacts. I hope piedmont can be an example and leader in Alameda County to restrict the sales of tobacco products to motivate others to follow in your footsteps.
Thank you for your time!