Larry Klein
Mayor
Richard Mehlinger
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Linda Sell
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
May 14, 2026
T
he Honorable Caroline Menjivar
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 6630
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: Senate Bill 1314 (Menjivar): Smoke shops: locations, hours of operation, and sale of nitrous oxide – SUPPORT
D
ear Senator Menjivar:
O
n behalf of the City of Sunnyvale, we want to express our support of SB 1314, which takes important steps to protect youth and promote public health by strengthening regulations on smoke shops.
S
B 1314 establishes clear, common -sense standards to reduce youth access to tobacco and related products. By prohibiting new smoke shop locations within 600 feet of schools and daycare centers, the bill helps limit the exposure of young people to environme nts that normalize tobacco use. Additionally, the bill’s restriction on late-night sales and its prohibition on the possession and sale of nitrous oxide in smoke shops directly address emerging public health and safety concerns in our communities.
T
hese provisions align with Sunnyvale’s longstanding commitment to protecting youth and advancing community health. Local governments have seen firsthand the challenges posed by the proliferation of tobacco retailers and smoke shops, particularly near schools.
SB 1314 provides a consistent statewide framework while still preserving local authority to adopt stronger standards, ensuring that cities like Sunnyvale can continue to respond to community needs.
We al
so appreciate the bill’s reinforcement of enforcement mechanisms under the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act. Strengthening accountability for violations and enabling coordinated enforcement between state and local agencies will improve compliance and better safeguard public health.
Attachment 5
The Honorable Caroline Menjivar, State Senate
May 14, 2026
SB 1314 is also consistent with the City of Sunnyvale’s General Plan policies supporting attractive and healthy neighborhoods, strong code enforcement, and compatibility between commercial activities and residential areas. General Plan Goal LT -4 promotes an attractive community with a positive image and human scale, while Policy LT -4.1a supports robust code enforcement to maintain and enhance neighborhoods and commercial districts. In addition, Policy LT -6.2 seeks to limit incompatible uses near residential neighborhoods. SB 1314 advances these objectives by reducing the concentration and impacts of smoke shops near sensitive uses and residential areas while preserving local authority to adopt stronger protections.
SB 1314 represents a thoughtful and targeted approach to reducing youth access to harmful substances while supporting local control and enforcement. For these reasons, the City of Sunnyvale is proud to support this important legislation.
Thank you for your leadership on this issue and your commitment to protecting the health and well-being of California’s communities. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Rebecca Moon, City Attorney at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
cc: Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab
Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Rebecca Moon, City Attorney
Sarah Johnson- Rios, Assistant City Manager
Connie Verceles, Assistant City Manager
Attachment 5