HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 04 2025 Item 8.2 Tobacco and Smoking Control Ordinance - Carol BakerTobacco-Free Coalition of Santa Clara County
1775 Story Road, Suite 120
San Jose, CA 95122
[INSERT DATE HERE]
Gilroy City Hall
7351 Rosanna St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
Dear Gilroy City Council,
The Tobacco-Free Coalition of Santa Clara County is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and well-being of all
communities throughout Santa Clara County. We are writing to ask that the City of Gilroy strengthens the existing tobacco
retail license (TRL) to better protect and serve community health.
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In Santa Clara County, the average age that students
first report using a tobacco product is 14 years old, and 83.8% report the first product that they try is a vape.
Historically, the tobacco industry has targeted vulnerable populations, especially youth. Expansion of tobacco product
technology and flavors lure youth to try vaping, cigarettes, and other products like ZYN pouches. All tobacco products contain
nicotine, which addicts and keeps users hooked on tobacco. Additionally, nicotine poisons adolescent brains and is dangerous
for youth brain development. Thus we are also concerned about these products being sold at smoke and vape shops within
Gilroy. Out of the 50 tobacco retailers in Gilroy, 11 are located within 1,000 feet of schools that serve Gilroy students.
This is why Gilroy must adopt a TRL strong enough to adequately protect youth from tobacco. The current TRL does not do
enough to minimize youth access to tobacco products or to protect all of Gilroy’s residents from the harms of tobacco’s
influence.
6 out of 16 jurisdictions in Santa Clara County currently have comprehensive TRLs that include provisions such as these—
Gilroy is not one of them. Let’s make the changes needed to get Gilroy there. Strengthening the existing TRL can better hold
retailers accountable, prevent illegal sales, and foster healthier, more equitable environments for all Gilroy residents. To the
Tobacco-Free Coalition of Santa Clara County, a strong TRL would include:
• Detailed enforcement provisions, including adequate fees that will ensure enforcement activities
• Limitations in tobacco retailer density, including buffer zones from youth-sensitive areas and other retailers
• Sales restrictions on all flavored tobacco and vaping products
• Consider a cap on retailers to address tobacco density issues
The Tobacco-Free Coalition supported the previous second-hand smoke efforts back in 2023 when Gilroy adopted smoke-free
multi-unit housing and public events. We are encouraged and excited to see this topic being reexamined and we suggest
adding outdoor dining as part of the smoking control ordinance.
Thank you for your continued commitment to ensure a healthy, united community in Gilroy.
Sincerely,
Carol Baker and Vanessa Marvin
Tobacco-Free Coalition of Santa Clara County Co-Chairs
Create healthy environments where you can live, work, play, and be…tobacco free!