San Bruno Council adopts county tobacco-retailer rules; owners urge delay

San Brunos City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance incorporating San Mateo Countys tobacco retailer regulations by reference, establishing buffer zones around youth-populated areas and prohibiting certain flavored products and sales at pharmacies.

The move, approved 50 by a voice vote after a public hearing, directs the city to adopt the county's regulatory framework and allows the city to receive county monitoring and enforcement services if the county provides them. Staff told the council the action is expected to have minimal direct impact on the city budget but would extend the countys enforcement capacity to local compliance work if San Bruno opts in.

Why it matters: The county rules add distance-buffer restrictions that can prevent new tobacco retail licenses near youth-centered sites and other tobacco retailers, and they restrict sales of certain flavored products commonly sold at hookah lounges and vape shops. Supporters said the change will reduce youth access to flavored tobacco; some local business owners warned of unintended consequences for long-standing local businesses.

Business owners urged delay. Rick Ratner Coates, who identified himself as a District 4 resident, said the city should guard neighborhood health but asked the council to consider the effect on existing businesses: "I don't want businesses that are already here in San Bruno to go away," he said. Owners of Paradise Hookah Lounge asked the council to delay the vote while they pursue clarity with county regulators, arguing a lapse in a state license was short-lived and that some flavored, nicotine-free products could fall into a regulatory "gray area." One owner told the council, "We just want you guys to hold off taking a vote until we brought this matter seriously in front of the county." (Owner, Paradise Hookah Lounge)

Council members discussed options to limit immediate disruption to existing businesses. Staff and councilors repeatedly clarified that enforcement of the county rules would be performed by the county; the city would adopt the countys rules by reference and could set an effective date. Council members asked whether the city could establish buffer zones now while leaving enforcement and grandfathering questions to the county; staff said the city can adopt the regulations and set an effective date that would give businesses time to seek county consideration.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Salazar moved to adopt the ordinance as read by the city clerk; Councilmember Alvarez seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 50. The council closed the public hearing before the vote.

Next steps: Staff said the county is the primary enforcement authority and encouraged affected businesses to continue discussions with county regulators; the city will publish the adopted ordinance and the city's effective date and enforcement details once clarified.

Sources: public hearing testimony and staff presentation at the San Bruno City Council meeting on April 8, 2025.