National City Council rescinds, then reintroduces tobacco retail licensing ordinance after weeks of public debate

The National City City Council rescinded a tobacco retail licensing ordinance it had adopted at a prior meeting and reintroduced the same ordinance for first reading Tuesday, following a legal notice issue and an extended public hearing that drew dozens of speakers for and against the measure.

Councilmembers said the step was intended to avoid litigation after the city attorney’s office found a “technical notice defect” in the earlier process and to allow the council to fix language before proceeding to adoption. The ordinance would amend Title 9, chapter 9.38, of the National City Municipal Code to establish a local tobacco retail license program, add annual inspections and create penalties for illegal sales to minors and other violations.

The public hearing drew more than 50 speakers and numerous written comments. Health advocates, school and public-health officials and family members urged the council to keep proximity limits around schools, annual compliance checks and suspension or revocation penalties in place. Business groups representing neighborhood markets, fuel and convenience stores urged changes that would allow buyers to obtain a tobacco retail…