County public‑health staff review vaping enforcement and local licensing options after state flavored‑tobacco ban
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Summary
Public health staff updated supervisors on tobacco‑prevention work, noting the state’s SB 793 flavor ban challenges local enforcement and discussing a possible local tobacco retail license to fund and enforce compliance.
Mariposa County public‑health staff gave the board an update Oct. 7 on tobacco‑prevention work and enforcement of the state’s flavored tobacco ban, SB 793.
Raider Fowler, the county’s health education supervisor, said the main youth tobacco concern today is vaping and flavored products. California’s SB 793 outlawed flavored tobacco at the state level, Fowler said, but the state lacks enough inspectors to enforce compliance across roughly 30,000 retailers; Mariposa County’s local compliance has been solid but not perfect.
Fowler said public‑health partners and youth groups such as Friday Night Live are focusing on prevention and education to reduce initiation among children. County staff and community members discussed pursuing a local tobacco retail license as a mechanism to fund local enforcement and increase compliance checks.
Supervisor Manatray thanked staff and the youth partners for their work. The board asked staff to continue outreach and to return with feasibility information if a local licensing program is recommended.
No formal board action was required at this update; staff requested continued support for prevention programs and potential next steps toward a retail‑licensing approach.