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Redwood City council moves to adopt San Mateo County's tobacco retailer rules amid debate over hookah exemptions
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate, Redwood City's council voted 5-2 on April 27 to introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance adopting San Mateo County's tobacco retailer permit program by reference, setting a June 8 hearing; supporters cited youth protection and enforcement efficiency, opponents warned of harm to grandfathered hookah-serving restaurants.
The Redwood City Council voted 5-2 on April 27 to introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance that would adopt San Mateo County's tobacco retailer permit rules by reference and set a June 8 public hearing for second reading.
Amanda Anthony, the city's economic development manager, told the council the county model would be the most cost-effective and immediately implementable approach for strengthening inspections, penalties, and limits on flavored tobacco and electronic smoking devices. "If we go with the county ordinance, the county manages all the administration at no cost to the city's general fund," she said, and county enforcement could begin soon after the ordinance takes effect.
The county's model prohibits new tobacco retailers within 500 feet of existing retailers, bars changes in ownership within 1,000 feet of youth-populated areas (schools and parks), disallows discounts and coupons, and bans all flavored tobacco and e-cigarette sales, Anthony said. She…
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