CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 21, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. ___ ADDING SECTION 9.45.125 (MINIMUM PACKAGE SIZE FOR LITTLE CIGARS AND CIGARS) TO
ARTICLE I (REGULATION OF SMOKING) OF CHAPTER 9.45
(TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES) OF
THE PLEASANT HILL MUNICIPAL CODE
SYNOPSIS
The proposed ordinance adds minimum package sizes for little cigars (cigarillos) and cigars that may be sold by tobacco retailers in Pleasant Hill. These minimum package sizes are similar to regulations found in Contra Costa County’s Code and are intended to reduce the accessibility of cigars and little cigars (cigarillos) to minors and the public generally in the interest of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare.
DISCUSSION
Background/Analysis
On February 7, 2022, the Pleasant Hill City Council adopted Ordinance No 952 amending Chapter
9.45 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. During the public hearing on the proposed revisions to the municipal code, it became apparent that the public health, safety, and welfare would benefit from further regulations for cigars and little cigars (cigarillos) to reduce the accessibility of these products to minors and the public generally.
The City Council directed staff to return to the Council with additional regulations similar to Contra Costa County’s regulations regarding minimum package sizes for cigars and little cigars (cigarillos). The proposed ordinance differs from the County’s regulations in that it increases the minimum number of little cigars in a package to twenty and increases the minimum price of an individual cigar to $7.50 before that type of cigar would be exempt from the minimum package requirement of ten cigars in a package.
As with the code revisions found in Ordinance No 952 regarding flavored tobacco products and electronic smoking devices, this ordinance, if adopted at a subsequent City Council meeting, would go into effect on January 1, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts as a result of the proposed ordinance.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends the City Council introduce the proposed ordinance.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council may decide to not introduce the proposed ordinance and provide further direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Ordinance
Prepared by: Janet Coleson, City Attorney
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager