CITY COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT E
CA Department of Justice
Tobacco Grant Program Fact Sheet
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE • 1300 I STREET • SUITE 820 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 • [email protected]
TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM
The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56) funding helps promote a healthier California by reducing illegal retail sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. The Office of the Attorney General makes these annual funds available to local law enforcement agencies through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Tobacco Grant Program.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Any local public agency within the State of California that has authority to enforce tobacco-related state laws or local ordinances related to retail tobacco sales and marketing is eligible to apply. This may include police and sheriffs’ departments, district and city attorneys and county counsels, public health departments, cities, counties, and public school/college districts.
Grantees may use grant funds for activities including, but not limited to:
• Enforcement of flavor ban laws/ordinances
• Retailer compliance and licensing checks
• Consumer protection investigation and enforcement actions • Illegal online sales and marketing, including use of door-to-door delivery services • Development of task forces (regional working groups) for enforcement operations • Retailer training and diversion programs
FUNDING DETAILS
TOTAL FUNDING AVAILABLE
An estimated $28.5 million in grant funding is available this year to support local enforcement efforts to reduce illegal retail sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.
State funding comes from increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2.00 starting in April 2017. These increased taxes were passed following voter approved Proposition 56 in 2016 that allocates a portion of annual revenue to DOJ.
FUNDING AMOUNTS
Funding amounts will be evaluated based on the submitted grant proposal.
FUNDING TYPE
The Tobacco Grant Program is a reimbursement grant. DOJ will reimburse selected public agencies, in arrears, for approved expenditures upon receipt of invoices, quarterly progress reports, and other enforcement data required.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE • 1300 I STREET • SUITE 820 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 • [email protected]
PROJECT PERIOD
Selected public agencies will be funded for 24 or 36 months. Projects are expected to begin on or about November 1, 2024 and must terminate on or before June 30, 2028.
REQUIREMENTS
In addition to full requirements specified in the RFP materials, the following are required for agencies selected:
• Resolution from the agency’s governing body authorizing acceptance of the grant funding • Agencies must not use awarded funds to supplant existing funds used for the same purpose • Agencies must not receive funding from a manufacturer, distributor, or advertiser of cigarettes or tobacco products
GRANT PROPOSAL
OPEN DATE AND DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
The grant opportunity will open for submissions on April 29, 2024.
Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM (Pacific) on June 28, 2024.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using DOJ’s online web-based form and submitted with all required attachments.
PROPOSAL COMPONENTS
A grant application requires submission of the following major components:
• C ompleted proposal (online web form)
• Completed budget detail (MS Excel)
• Letter(s) of commitment (required if partnering or contracting with another agency to complete a portion of the grant objectives)
FUNDING PRIORITIES
DOJ’s Tobacco Grant Program application process is highly competitive. In accordance with Proposition 56, funds will be awarded to applicants demonstrating strong capacity to support and/or hire enforcement officers for activities specifically aimed at reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.
PRIORITY ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED
Priority activities include, but are not limited to:
• Enforcing state tobacco laws and local ordinances, including the statewide flavor ban (and similar local ordinances) through retailer inspections and enforcement operations (e.g. minor decoy, shoulder tap, undercover buys in stores and online) • Consumer protection enforcement (investigations and prosecution)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE • 1300 I STREET • SUITE 820 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 • [email protected] • Compliance checks and inspections of tobacco retailers and online services that deliver tobacco products
• Task force coordination among local agencies
• Retailer education and diversion for retailers violating state tobacco laws • Education for enforcement officers regarding state tobacco laws and local ordinances
ACTIVITIES NOT CONSIDERED IN THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Activities that will NOT be considered within this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to:
• School and community-based enforcement of tobacco possession and use, including School Resource Officers and purchase/use of vape detectors
• School and community-based education (including media campaigns) • Other activities insufficiently related to reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth
MORE INFORMATION
PRE-APPLICATION WEBINAR
We highly encourage all applicants to register for the pre-application webinar t o be held on May 9, 2024, 10:30-11:30 AM (Pacific) via Zoom. The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the Tobacco Grant Program webpage.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
To learn more about this grant program and funding opportunity, sign up for the pre-application webinar, or view related information, and please visit the DOJ Tobacco Grant Program webpage (https://oag.ca.gov/tobaccogrants).
QUESTIONS
Email [email protected] w ith any questions regarding the application process .