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Committee forwards proposed tobacco-retailer code changes, including end to "healthy foods" exemption
Summary
The Law & Legislation Committee voted unanimously to forward proposed revisions to Sacramento City Code chapters 5.138 and 9.12 — including sunsetting the 2020 "healthy foods" exemption and increasing tobacco‑retailer licensing fees — to the full City Council for consideration, after months of debate and extensive public comment from health advocates and business owners.
The Sacramento City Council Law & Legislation Committee voted unanimously to forward proposed revisions to the city's tobacco retail licensing code to the full City Council, including a staff recommendation to end the 2020 "healthy foods" exemption that has allowed some new tobacco retailer licenses.
The staff presentation, delivered by Sean Bartosz, code enforcement manager with the Community Development Department, outlined several changes: ending the healthy‑foods exemption for future transfers while grandfathering existing holders who maintain licensure, clarifying definitions (including "characterizing flavor," shisha and flavor enhancers), creating a presumption that flavored tobacco found on premises is offered for sale, strengthening inspection enforcement (including suspension for denying inspections), aligning the legal purchase age to 21, and raising licensing fees to approach full cost recovery.
"The healthy foods exemption sunset. This will end the healthy foods exemption,"…
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