Board advances ordinance to bar tobacco sales in pharmacies; sponsor frames move as public-health protection
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Summary
Supervisors passed on first reading an ordinance that would eliminate exemptions allowing general grocery stores and big-box stores to sell tobacco products in in-store pharmacies. Sponsor emphasized public-health rationale and thanked public-health advocates and UCSF researchers.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Health Code to remove exemptions that allow general grocery stores and big-box retailers to sell tobacco products in their pharmacies.
Supervisor Marr, the sponsor of the ordinance, framed the measure as an alignment of pharmacy practice with public-health goals. "Pharmacies should promote healing and protect our health, not sell cigarettes," Marr said during floor remarks, calling cigarette sales a "clear conflict of interest" for retail pharmacies. Marr cited national mortality estimates and argued the ordinance would close a loophole that allowed large retailers to continue tobacco sales since a 2008 change.
Vote and process
On the roll call for Item 20 the ordinance passed on first reading, 7 ayes and 3 noes. The meeting record shows President Chiu voted no on the roll call recorded during the item; other yes and no votes were recorded on the roll call sheet. As a first-reading ordinance, the measure will return for a second reading and final adoption under the city's ordinance calendar.
Why it matters
The ordinance narrows exemptions in the local Health Code, applying the pharmacy tobacco ban to pharmacies located within larger grocery and big-box stores. Sponsor remarks emphasized reducing access to tobacco and reinforcing pharmacies' roles in promoting health.
What supporters said
Supervisor Marr acknowledged co-sponsors and credited public-health staff and community advocates, including UCSF researchers and the California LGBT Tobacco Education Partnership, for their work on the measure. "Smoking and cigarettes kill...Tobacco is the only consumable product when used that will kill at least one half of the users," Marr said in floor remarks, adding that smoking shortens life expectancy by about 10 years on average and urging colleagues to support the ordinance.
What opponents said
The transcript records three no votes at first reading but does not include extended floor statements from those voting no. The roll-call record is included in the meeting minutes for verification.
Next steps
The ordinance will return for a required second reading before it can be enacted. Implementation details and timelines will be developed by the Department of Public Health if and when the ordinance is adopted.
