Tobacco Retail Licensing

Smoking is a big problem in the United States, and it causes more than 480,000 deaths every year.

You might have heard about electronic cigarettes, also called vapes. These have become really popular, especially among youth. Even though kids are not supposed to buy them, about 2.5 million middle and high school students use them.

The companies that make these tobacco products have tried to make them appealing to youth by adding flavors and fancy technology. They also advertise them near schools and places where youth hang out.

In California, stores can no longer sell flavored tobacco products, however, youth still find ways to get them. Education is not always enough to get people to quit smoking, therefore several cities have already adopted laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco products without a license. In order to have a license, tobacco retailers need to pay a fee to their state and to their city, this pays for enforcement and education activities.

Tobacco Retail License Laws Can:

Stops illegal sales to kids: It makes sure stores don't sell tobacco to young people.
Keeps tobacco away from kids: It makes it harder for young people to get tobacco products.
Punishes stores that break the rules: If a store sells tobacco to kids when they're not supposed to, they can get in trouble.
Reduces tobacco products and ads: It makes it so there are fewer places to buy tobacco and see ads for it.
Can be changed: These rules can be made stronger if needed to protect kids even better.

For a list of current cities in San Diego that have adopted tobacco retail licensing laws, visit Smoke-Free San Diego.

Retailers looking to apply to, renew, or transfer a County of San Diego tobacco retail license, visit the County of San Diego Tobacco Retail Licensing Program.