UPDATE: Tiburon has made history as the first town in the United States to implement a complete ban on the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products. The Town Council delivered the final approval on this groundbreaking ordinance on November 1, 2023, with the law set to take effect on December 5, 2023.
This unprecedented move comes as a direct response to rising concerns over youth tobacco use and aims to set a strong precedent for public health. Mayor Holli Thier declared, “We all made history here tonight,” underscoring the significance of the decision. Unlike other California cities such as Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, which have allowed limited exemptions, Tiburon’s ordinance is comprehensive and unwavering.
The meeting drew a notable crowd, including local high school students and members of the Youth Advocacy Committee, who have passionately advocated for reducing teen tobacco and nicotine use. Councilmember Isaac Nikfar praised these young activists for their dedication, stating, “They worked hard to get this across the line.”
The ordinance not only bans the sale of tobacco but also reinforces Tiburon’s existing public health measures. In 2020, the town had already banned flavored tobacco products, setting the stage for this latest initiative. Councilmember Alice Fredericks emphasized that the new law ensures the continuation of a tobacco-free retail environment, noting, “The ordinance guarantees the status quo for commercial sales of tobacco in the future.”
The urgency of this ordinance is supported by statistics from the 2023 California Youth Tobacco Survey, which revealed that over 21% of high school students reported using tobacco products. Alarmingly, more than 25% of those who smoked cigarettes admitted to purchasing them. This law sends a powerful message to both current and future generations about the risks associated with tobacco use.
California has been proactive in addressing tobacco-related issues, having raised the legal purchasing age from 18 to 21 in 2016 and implementing stricter laws against flavored-tobacco sales earlier this year. Despite these measures, local students expressed their ongoing concerns at the council meeting, highlighting the pervasive nature of tobacco exposure in their daily lives.
“I am grateful that you are taking action on an issue that continues to affect my peers,” stated Diana Garcia, a Novato High School student present at the meeting. “You have a chance to set an example for communities to follow.”
With nearly 130 municipalities across California enacting their own regulations aimed at curbing tobacco sales, Tiburon’s bold step may inspire similar actions nationwide. The enactment of this ordinance not only reflects a commitment to public health but also serves to empower young advocates in their fight against tobacco.
As the December 5 effective date approaches, all eyes will be on Tiburon to see how this landmark decision influences other towns and the broader fight against tobacco use in the United States.
