Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents praise new tobacco licensing law, urge enforcement; callers warn against drive‑through marijuana sales
Summary
Students, health workers and youth mentors thanked the council for a new tobacco retail licensing ordinance and credited changes for improving an American Lung Association rating; public commenters urged strong enforcement and asked the council to oppose California AB 2697 (drive‑through marijuana sales) because of youth exposure and impaired‑driving concerns.
Multiple residents used public comment to praise the recently adopted Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) ordinance and to press the council for enforcement.
Irma Hernandez, who identified herself as a community health worker, thanked council members Yamani, Bush and Rodriguez for supporting the ordinance and said changes prompted the American Lung Association to move National City’s rating from an F to an A. "Thanks to your work and this ordinance being passed… protecting our youth from this huge harm, which is e‑cigarettes," she said.
Student Adelio Rodriguez, identified as a National City Middle student and club secretary, also thanked the council for the tobacco licensing restrictions and emphasized the ordinance’s benefits for youth.
Public health‑oriented speakers urged the city to focus on enforcement. Peggy Walker, a youth mentor, asked for ongoing undercover compliance checks to prevent flavored vape and other tobacco sales to minors. Manuel Andrade, speaking for a neighborhood program, echoed calls for robust enforcement and regional coordination.
Several commenters raised concerns about marijuana commercialization. Becky Rapley identified herself and urged the council to communicate with state assembly members to oppose AB 2697 — a bill that would allow drive‑through marijuana sales. Rapley said drive‑through sales could normalize consumption, increase convenience that might raise consumption and create safety concerns when children are present in vehicles during purchases: "I urge this council to formally communicate with the state assembly members and ask them to oppose AB 2,697." Judy Strang also urged limits on storefront signage and billboards that she said affect youth exposure.
The mayor and council thanked speakers for their remarks and confirmed public comments were received in the meeting record.
