Tobacco Education

Tobacco Retail License (TRL) Ordinance

As part of Lemon Grove's healthy community initiative, the City Council has prioritized the implementation of a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) Program. A 2017 survey by Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA) showed that there are some businesses in Lemon Grove that are selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors in violation of state law. The TRL ordinance will help further reduce the number of stores selling these products to minors. 

In March 2018, the Lemon Grove City Council received an overview of a Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) ordinance and instructed staff to move forward with developing the ordinance. In August 2018, a draft of the ordinance was presented to the City Council and staff was directed by the Council to implement their feedback to include community input and to present a revised draft to the City Council in late November of 2018. To ensure the residents of Lemon Grove were engaged in this process, the following community meetings were held in October 2018: 

• Tobacco Retailer Meeting: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the Lemon Grove Community Center (3146 School Lane)
• Community Meeting 1:Monday, October 8, 2018, from 10 AM-Noon at First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove (2910 Main Street)
• Community Meeting 2: Wednesday, October 10, 2018, from 6-8 PM at the Lemon Grove Community Center (3146 School Lane) 

On December 18, 2018, the Lemon Grove City Council passed and adopted the TRL Ordinance No. 449, Chapter 8.70 which establishes a tobacco retail license and prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age. The TRL Ordinance took effect on January 1, 2020.

To ensure your tobacco retail establishment is in compliance, please review the educational resources accessible below.

If you have questions regarding the TRL Ordinance, you can contact Christian Olivas, Management Analyst, at (619) 825-3813 or colivas@lemongrove.ca.gov. 

Educational Resources  

The following resources are provided to assist you, your family and local businesses with smoking cessation and employee education.

California Tobacco Control Laws

The Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act (eff. June 9, 2016) (PDF)

The complete STAKE Act state law in California Business and Professions Code Sections 22950-22964, effective June 9, 2016. The STAKE Act is primarily enforced by the CDPH, Food and Drug Branch, among other state and local law enforcement agencies, to restrict tobacco product sales to persons under 21 years of age.

Penal Code Section 308 (eff. June 9, 2016) (PDF)

The complete California Penal Code Section 308 state law which prohibits the sale or furnishing of tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia to persons under 21 years of age, effective June 9, 2016.

Tobacco 21: Raising the Minimum Age to 21 Fact Sheet 2016 (PDF)

This fact sheet summarizes the importance of raising the legal age of tobacco sales to 21, and other jurisdictions who enacted this policy.

Resources for Tobacco Retailers

Tobacco 21 Infographic for Retailers 2018 (PDF)

This infographic is intended to provide an easy to use guide for tobacco retailers. It includes information on the topic of selling tobacco products, up-to-date information on tobacco products, penalty schedule for storeowners, and California tobacco retailer license requirements

Tobacco Control Laws that Affect Retail Businesses 2017 (PDF)

This educational brochure contains basic information on state and federal tobacco control laws that affect retail businesses in California.

Letter to Retailers from the California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer (PDF)

This letter from State Health Officer and California Department of Public Health Director Karen Smith describes new tobacco laws that apply to California retailers and provides information and resources to help retailers comply with the new law.

Minimum Sale Age and Electronic Smoking Devices, A Summary for Retailers (PDF)

This factsheet summarizes key provisions of new laws related to the age-of-sale for tobacco products and the sale of electronic smoking devices.

ID Verification Tip Sheet (PDF)

This tip sheet provides photos and descriptions of California’s driver’s license for persons under age 21 and 21 or over, and the United States Armed Forces Common Access Card.

Tobacco Product Tip Sheet (PDF)

This quick guide shows photos of the variety of tobacco products- new and traditional - covered under California law.

Questions and/or updated materials

Tobacco 21 Resources for Retailers

Resources to help retailers comply with the landmark California Tobacco 21 law, such as the required age-of-sale warning sign, retail tobacco laws summary fact sheet, FAQ, and ID verification and tobacco product tip sheets. Selected resources are in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program

For questions on educational materials and signage, or via telephone at 916-449-5500

California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch

For questions and information about retail enforcement and compliance or via telephone at 916-650-6500.

California Department of Tax & Fee Administration-Tobacco Retailers Need to Know

For information about state tobacco licensing, payment of tobacco taxes, and other requirements.

Signage

Age of Sale Warning Sign (PDF)

This age-of-sale sign meets legal requirements for the wording, font size, and size of the sign. Printing Instructions: Please print this sign at 100%. Do Not reduce or enlarge the size of this sign. This sign is 10.2 inches wide by 4.4 inches high. Do not print this sign using the ”Fit”, ”Shrink oversized pages”, or “Custom Scale” options in the print dialogue box.Download and post this sign at each cash register. This is a temporary sign to be used until the printed signs are mailed to you. Adhesive-backed signs are being mailed to retailers during the month of June 2016.

We Check ID Window Cling (PDF)

This sign reminds customers that the age-of-sale for tobacco and e-cigarettes is 21 and that clerks check for ID. Download and post this sign in your window. A window cling with this design is being mailed to retailers during the month of June 2016.

Signage Order Form (PDF)

Use this form to order additional age-of-sale warning signs and window clings.

Staff Training Resources

Tobacco Laws Training Certification (PDF)

This form may be used for manager or clerks to acknowledge that they have completed the review of the California Retailers and Tobacco Laws Training

How to Comply: Tips for Retailers (PDF)

This document provides guidance on how to comply with the law, tips on training, and how to refuse a sale.

Notice to Employees (PDF)

This document describes new age-of-sale requirements for tobacco products and provides a place for an employee to acknowledge the requirements by signing the document. It is offered as an example and may be modified to meet the needs of the retailer

Minimum Clerk Age Jurisdictions (PDF)

California state law does not identify a minimum age for clerks to sell tobacco products; however, many cities and counties have such a restriction. This list identifies the jurisdictions known to have minimum clerk age requirements.

For further information, please contact:

•  Community Action Service & Advocacy (CASA) 
  • 275 E. Douglas Ave. Suite 115
    El Cajon, CA 92021
  • Ph: 619-442-2727 
• State Tobacco Control Section
• Tobacco Watchdog