HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 01 2026 - Items 8.2 & 9.1 - Vanessa MarvinTobacco-Free Coalition of Santa Clara County
150 W Tasman Dr
San Jose, CA 95134
May 29th, 2026
Gilroy City Hall
7351 Rosanna St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
RE: 6/1 Gilroy City Council Mee5ng – Item 8.2: Support of Zoning Amendments for Tobacco Retailers / Smoke Shops AND
Item 9.1: Support of Licensing Amendments for Tobacco Retailer Permits
Dear Gilroy City Council,
The Tobacco-Free CoaliEon (TFC) of Santa Clara County is dedicated to protecEng and improving the health and well-being of
all communiEes throughout Santa Clara County. The CoaliEon includes 148 members across 60 stakeholder groups, including
local tobacco prevenEon, lung health, youth-serving organizaEons and community residents. We are wri 5ng to ask the City of
Gilroy to adopt a strong enforcement mechanism and have policy levers in place, such as a local flavored tobacco ban and
establishing a defini5on for “smoke shop,” to prevent bad actors from returning to Gilroy in the future.
Flavored Tobacco / Vaping
Historically, the tobacco industry has targeted vulnerable populaEons, especially youth. Expansion of tobacco product
technology and flavors lure youth to try vaping, cigareVes, and other products like ZYN pouches. In Santa Clara County, the
average age students first report using a tobacco product is 14 years old, and 83.8% report the first product they try is a vape.
Flavored tobacco use in California is reported as highest for e-cigareVes / vapes (89.1%) out of all tobacco. All tobacco
products contain nicoEne, which addicts and keeps users hooked on tobacco. NicoEne poisons adolescent brains and is
dangerous for youth brain development. Also, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Smoking
alone costs California $43.54 billion in health care costs and reduced workforce parEcipaEon from illness and early death.
A local sales restric5on on all flavored tobacco and vaping products would ensure that youth in Gilroy stay protected. The
State’s current code language makes exempEons for the sale(s) of flavored shisha by a hookah retailer, premium cigars sold in
cigar lounges, and looseleaf tobacco / premium cigars. Since there are no hookah or cigar lounges in Gilroy, this is an opEmal
Eme to prevent this problem in the future by adopEng a soluEon now. As a result, the City of Gilroy would show their residents
how serious they are about prevenEng bad actors from aVracEng and supplying youth with tobacco in the future.
Buffer Zones, Defining a “Smoke Shop” and Enforcement
Making amendments to include buffer zones for youth-sensiEve areas / community centers and defining a “smoke shop” as a
retailer who devotes more than 15% of their net floor space or display area to selling tobacco products or paraphernalia,
including electronic smoking / vaping devices and accessories strengthens tobacco regulaEons in Gilroy. Want to thank City
Staff for proposing 15%, which is stronger than the state’s requirement (CA SB1314) of 20%. In addiEon, the Tobacco-Free
CoaliEon would like to see the City take it further with enforcement provisions by including adequate fees that will ensure /
sustain enforcement ac5vi5es.
We urge you to make the changes needed to prevent youth from trying tobacco, becoming hooked on nicoEne and
experiencing poor health outcomes. Strengthening enforcement and including the policy levers outlined above can be[er
hold retailers accountable, prevent illegal sales, and foster healthier, more equitable environments for all Gilroy residents.
Lastly, TFC of Santa Clara County is appreciaEve of your past efforts in Secondhand Smoke work in the past year. We thank you
for your ongoing support of this topic and conEnued commitment to ensure a healthy, united community in Gilroy.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Marvin, Chair of Tobacco-Free CoaliEon of Santa Clara County
Create healthy environments where you can live, work, play, and be…tobacco free!