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Council aligns local vaping rules with state law and approves CDBG funding recommendations
Summary
Palm Desert council voted 5–0 to adopt ordinance language aligning electronic smoking device and flavored‑tobacco definitions with state law (exempting FDA‑approved cessation products) after public comment from a 7‑Eleven franchisee; the council also approved the outside agency committee's Community Development Block Grant recommendations for program year 2026–27.
The Palm Desert City Council on March 12 approved two formal items: an ordinance update that aligns local definitions of electronic smoking devices and flavored tobacco products with state law, and the outside‑agency committee’s funding recommendations for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year 2026–27.
Aaron Buckman, representing a local 7‑Eleven franchisee, urged the council to reject additional restrictions and described nicotine pouches as a personally effective cessation aid during his three‑minute public comment. "I smoked for about 21 years...when I tried a nicotine pouch and I could choose my nicotine level, that really helped me out," Buckman said.
Pedro Rodriguez, co‑compliance manager for the city, said the proposed ordinance language is intended to align city code with state law and that the local definition excludes products "that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the sale of tobacco cessation." He added that the city will educate retailers on the state list of allowed unflavored tobacco products and perform inspections to determine compliance.
After brief discussion, a council motion to approve the ordinance passed unanimously (5–0). The meeting record does not list individual roll‑call votes, only the 5–0 tally.
On a separate public hearing, staff presented the outside agency committee’s CDBG funding recommendations for fiscal year 2026–27. The staff report noted three applications were not recommended because they did not meet HUD or county requirements. With no public speakers, the council approved the committee’s recommendations by motion (5–0).
Votes at a glance: • Ordinance (Item 13F): motion to approve ordinance aligning local definitions with state law; outcome: approved, tally 5–0. The ordinance language, as explained by staff, exempts FDA‑approved smoking cessation devices. • CDBG recommendations (Item 15A): committee funding recommendations for program year 2026–27 approved; outcome: approved, tally 5–0.
The council took no other action on non‑agenda items; staff said they will follow up with residents on separate construction‑related complaints raised earlier in the meeting.
