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Tobacco-Free Florida urges Martin County to consider point-of-sale zoning to curb youth exposure
Summary
Tobacco-Free Florida presented data to the Martin County LPA showing 315 tobacco retailers in the county, sale-to-minor rates of 13% (FDA) and 9% (DCF), and recommended point-of-sale zoning to limit retailer proximity to schools, parks and other retailers; members asked about including vaping/nicotine and next steps to the county commission.
Caitlin Strickland of Tobacco-Free Florida presented to the Martin County Local Planning Agency on June 18, 2026, urging the county to consider point-of-sale zoning policies that would restrict where tobacco products can be sold in order to reduce youth exposure and access.
Strickland told the LPA that Martin County has about 315 tobacco retailers and that federal and state inspection data show sale-to-minor rates of roughly 13 percent (Food and Drug Administration) and 9 percent (Florida Department of Children and Families). She said 206 retailers (about 65%) are within 500 feet of another tobacco retailer and that 102 (about 32%) are within 1,000 feet of a school or park. "Reducing the number of tobacco advertisements and tobacco products our youth see could significantly affect the health of our youth," Strickland said.
The presentation described two common zoning approaches: (1) restricting the proximity of tobacco retailers to youth-populated areas such as schools, parks and daycares, or (2) limiting the proximity of new tobacco retailers to existing tobacco retailers to reduce retailer density. Strickland explained that existing retailers would typically be grandfathered (permanent or time-limited exemptions are possible) and that any new retailer would need to comply with local zoning rules.
Board members asked whether the focus should explicitly include vaping and nicotine products. Strickland said her program covers tobacco and nicotine and agreed that vaping'related products should be considered; she noted the presentation was prepared as a general overview. Members also asked whether a zoning policy would need to go before the county commission; Strickland said that would be the appropriate next step for an adoptive policy.
Strickland closed by offering Tobacco-Free Florida resources and inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the local tobacco-free partnership and a point-of-sale zoning subcommittee. The LPA did not take formal action on the policy; the presentation serves as an informational item and potential precursor to action at the commission level.
