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Josephine County adopts tobacco retail enforcement resolution; Commissioner Martin abstains
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2026-009 on June 9, 2026, endorsing tobacco retail enforcement to prevent youth access while defending adult consumer choice; Commissioner Colene M. Martin disclosed a potential conflict and abstained. Legal Counsel advised the resolution would not affect county grant funding.
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on June 9 adopted Resolution No. 2026-009, affirming tobacco retail enforcement as the primary strategy to prevent youth access to tobacco and nicotine products while protecting adult consumer choice. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Commissioners Gary L. Richardson and Ron A. Smith voting yes and Commissioner Colene M. Martin abstaining.
Commissioner Colene M. Martin revisited the resolution during board business, noting prior discussions and stating she had received support from the Oregon Neighborhood Store Association for an approach that balances youth-prevention enforcement with adult consumer choice. Legal Counsel advised the board that adopting the resolution would not affect county grant funding, according to the record.
Martin disclosed a potential conflict stemming from unrelated work with United Strategies and said she would abstain from the vote. Commissioner Gary L. Richardson moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-009; Commissioner Ron A. Smith seconded. The clerk recorded the motion as carried, 2-0, with Martin abstaining.
The board did not record further direction or implementation details for the resolution in the workshop transcript. The meeting adjourned at 2:04 p.m.
