County tobacco-prevention official urges Lompoc action on retail licensing, smoke-free housing

Santiago Segovia, tobacco prevention and cannabis education program coordinator for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, told the Lompoc City Council on Oct. 7 that the county program’s goals are to prevent nonsmokers from becoming users, help current users quit and protect residents from secondhand smoke. "We work to prevent nonsmokers from becoming tobacco and cannabis users," Segovia said, summarizing the program’s work on education, local policy and technical assistance.

Segovia described local patterns reported by parents, educators and community groups: youth access to nicotine and vaping products without ID; smoking near school bathrooms, bus stops and playgrounds; and second‑ and third‑hand smoke drifting into units at multi‑family housing, which property managers say increases repair costs. He presented program data showing a large increase in school‑based tobacco‑prevention referrals since 2020, and said the county program is offering technical assistance to cities that choose to adopt local controls.

The county coordinator recommended three actions the city could consider: adopting a local tobacco retail license to fund enforcement and help prevent unlawful sales; updating or expanding the city’s smoke‑free outdoor ordinance (Lompoc Ordinance No. 160414) to cover sidewalks, bus stops and similar areas; and adopting a smoke‑free multi‑unit‑housing ordinance that would prohibit smoking in common areas and allow designated smoking areas set back from units.

Members of local advocacy groups, and students working with Future Leaders of America, followed Segovia in public comment and urged the council to move on those recommendations. "The availability of these products locally is simply too easy for youth," said a written statement submitted by a Lompoc High School senior and shared with the council during public comment. Yvette Peralta, who identified herself as working with Future Leaders of America and Lompoc Youth & Families, said the youth group is prepared to help with outreach and education if the council moves forward.

Nancy Perez, community engagement organizer with Family Service Agency, said parents have shared concerns about children’s exposure and urged action on a retail license, smoke‑free outdoor rules and multi‑unit smoke‑free policies.

Council members asked follow‑up questions about other cities’ experiences. Segovia cited Guadalupe and Santa Maria as nearby examples that adopted local retail licensing and smoke‑free outdoor rules; he said the county can draft ordinance language and work with the city and the Public Health Law Center if the council decides to proceed. He also offered the county’s tobacco‑prevention coalition as a local resource for outreach and implementation.

No formal action was taken at the Oct. 7 meeting; staff said they would provide additional information if the council asked for it.

Ending: City staff and county program staff said they can draft ordinance language and bring implementation options, including estimated enforcement costs and funding strategies, back to the council on request.