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Health Commission hears implementation plan after San Francisco classifies e‑cigarettes as cigarettes
Summary
DPH and community partners reported on the April 2014 ordinance that treats e‑cigarettes as cigarettes for retail, sales and use rules; youth advocates described research showing marketing to minors and low carding compliance, and DPH outlined an education and enforcement rollout.
The Health Commission received an update on San Francisco’s newly adopted ordinance that treats electronic nicotine delivery devices (e‑cigarettes) as cigarettes for the purposes of retail licensing, sales restrictions and use prohibitions.
Derek Smith of the Tobacco Free Project and youth partners from the Youth Leadership Institute and the Vietnamese Youth Development Center described the ordinance’s provisions: e‑cigarette sales now require a tobacco retail license, products may only be sold where cigarettes may be sold, and use of e‑cigarettes is prohibited wherever smoking is already banned (workplaces, restaurants, bars, public transit, schools, parks and many common areas). The presenters said the ordinance took effect in late April 2014 and DPH is conducting outreach, signage and a broader media campaign to inform the public and retailers.
Youth presenters described local research and retail compliance checks showing marketing and flavoring that appeal to young people and weak carding practices — in one youth purchase test only one of 11 stores asked for ID. DPH said it will produce fact sheets, coordinate with Parks and Recreation and other departments for signage and run public education via transit advertising.
Commissioners praised the youth engagement and asked DPH to continue monitoring usage and enforcement. DPH said it would continue to evaluate emerging research and update the commission on implementation.
