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Bill would bar tobacco sales in stores with pharmacies; committee advances AB 957 after debate
Summary
Assemblymember Ortega’s AB 957 would prohibit licensed pharmacies from selling tobacco and related products statewide; authors and public‑health witnesses framed the bill as a health protection measure, while several senators raised concerns about access to pharmacy services and economic effects; committee advanced the bill.
Assemblymember Ortega presented AB 957 to prohibit the sale of tobacco products at stores that operate licensed pharmacies across California. Ortega said pharmacies are health‑care settings and should not sell products that cause disease; she cited policy precedents in jurisdictions such as San Francisco and other states that have enacted similar bans.
Medical and public‑health witnesses supported the bill. Dr. Lisa Croon, a licensed pharmacist and UCSF professor, told the committee pharmacies are central access points for care and smoking cessation services and that selling tobacco there conflicts with the health mission. Testimony said less than 2% of surveyed pharmacists supported selling tobacco in pharmacies and that removing tobacco from pharmacy shelves would improve public health and help smoking cessation efforts.
The bill drew pushback from committee members focused on economic development and pharmacy access. Chair Ashby and others warned the bill could reduce pharmacy access in disadvantaged and rural communities because some studies show pharmacy closures following local tobacco bans; several senators asked whether grocery stores that include a pharmacy would be affected. The author said yes, the prohibition would include grocery stores that have a licensed pharmacy within the store.
Senator Choi argued the measure interferes with open market choices and said businesses should be allowed to decide what to sell; other senators countered that public health considerations justify regulation. Several statewide medical and health organizations testified in support, including the American Heart Association, California Medical Association, and the County Health Executives Association.
The committee recorded the motion to advance the bill; the clerk noted a plurality of votes in support and left the item on call while awaiting additional members. The author said she will continue to work with stakeholders on potential clarifications as the bill moves through the process.
