FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Fresno City Council voted Thursday to create a new tobacco retailer licensing program designed to curb the sale of illegal tobacco products and strengthen enforcement against businesses that violate state and federal regulations.
The measure passed 6-1 after weeks of debate among councilmembers, business owners and public health advocates.
“There are a lot of… negative externalities associated with tobacco sale and consumption, and you know we’re taking it a lot more seriously here in the city of Fresno,” Council President Nelson Esparza said.
The ordinance establishes a tobacco retailer license requirement for businesses that sell tobacco products within Fresno.
Under the program, retailers will face routine compliance checks and must obtain an annual license, which currently costs about $1,000, though city officials noted the fee is temporarily reduced through a state grant.
Supporters said the program is intended to combat the sale of prohibited products, including flavored vaping products and other items that do not comply with state and federal regulations.
“That’s less tobacco circulating within the community. I think that’s a good thing in terms of access for youth,” Esparza said.
The city estimates about 550 tobacco retailers operate within Fresno, many of them small, family-owned businesses.
During Thursday’s meeting, numerous business owners supported enforcement efforts but raised concerns about the cost of the licensing program.
“If you want to fix a problem, have an association like ourselves sit on the table. We could help them make a better rule of regulations to protect our youth,” Andy Chikara, of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association, said.
City leaders responded that the fee is based on the cost of administering and enforcing the program and is not intended to generate revenue for the city.
The proposal underwent several revisions during weeks of discussion. Councilmember Nick Richardson raised concerns about ensuring business owners are not held responsible for violations committed solely by employees.
“If you knowingly disregard the rules, we have to have language in this that separates the responsibility that would be considered a sales violation from the owner and the employee,” Richardson said.
Other councilmembers argued the ordinance strikes the right balance between enforcement and supporting responsible businesses.
“What we have is a solid piece of legislation that attacks the issue at hand here, which is the saturated market with illegal products,” Councilmember Tyler Maxwell said.
The ordinance will take effect in 30 days. Once it becomes active, retailers will have 90 days to apply for a license.
City officials emphasized that the licensing program is separate from a measure approved last year that limits the number of smoke shops permitted in each council district.
However, Esparza said both policies are part of a broader effort to regulate tobacco sales and reduce access to illegal products in Fresno.
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