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Report regarding an ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 8.50 and Title 20, Chapter 20.420 and adding Title 6, Chapter 6.47 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code pertaining to the sale of tobacco, flavored tobacco, and electronic smoking devices. (Christina Fernandez, Assistant to the City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended City Council introduce an ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 8.50 and Title 20, Chapter 20.420 and adding Title 6, Chapter 6.47 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code pertaining to the sale of tobacco, flavored tobacco, and electronic smoking devices, and waive further reading.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
According to the California Department of Public Health, 80% of young people who used tobacco started with a flavored tobacco product. A majority of youth report flavoring as a leading reason for using tobacco products. This includes 82% of e-cigarette users, 79% of hookah users, 74% of cigar users, and 69% of smokeless users. Flavors such as watermelon, cherry, chocolate, mint, and gummy bear appeal to kids and teens. Flavorings mask the taste of tobacco making it more palatable for youth to begin tobacco use. Flavored tobacco products also use the same flavoring chemicals as Jolly Rancher, Kool-Aid, and Life Savers. Certain minority groups also disproportionately use flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. In one survey, 82.6% of African American cigarette smokers reported smoking menthol cigarettes in the month prior.
Flavored E-Cigarettes
Most commonly used among youth, e-cigarettes deliver flavorings, nicotine and other additives via an inhaled aerosol. E-cigarettes entered the marketplace in 2007, and since 2014 have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. E-cigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students has increased 900% between 2011 and 2015. During the past year, e-cigarette use has increased 78% among high school students. In 2018, more than...
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