Agenda

Return

C.100

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director
Date:	May 5, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community Tobacco Store Survey Results

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/05/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor

ABSENT:

Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Wendel Brunner, MD, 313-6712
cc:	T Scott C Rucker Jessica McCraken

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 5, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT Health Services 2013 Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community Report, DIRECT staff to develop a report on recommendations for policy options to protect youth from tobacco influences in the retail environment, and REFER the report to the Family and Human Services Committee for recommendations to the full Board.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Minimal fiscal impact. A portion of the Prop 99 funding Contra Costa Health Services receives for its Tobacco Prevention Project could be allocated to implementing direction provided by the Board of Supervisors.

BACKGROUND:

While we have made good progress in Contra Costa in reducing both adult and youth tobacco use, youth are still exposed to tobacco industry influences in their communities. In 2011, the tobacco industry spent $605 million advertising and promoting tobacco products in California, with 90% of its marketing budget spent in the retail store environment. Exposure to tobacco marketing in stores increases tobacco experimentation and use by youth and is more powerful than peer pressure. Research also shows that the number of stores selling tobacco in a community can lead to higher rates of youth smoking. In addition to advertising and marketing influences, some Contra Costa jurisdictions have illegal tobacco sales rates to youth that are as high as 26%.

In summer, 2013, in order to get a picture of what tobacco industry influences look like in Contra Costa, Health Services staff, the Tobacco Prevention Coalition, and community partners, participated in a county-wide store survey. This scientific survey was part of a statewide effort to collect data on tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food in the retail environment. Over 300 stores selling tobacco in randomized zip codes in the County were surveyed, and these included convenience, supermarket, liquor, tobacco, small market, discount, drug and big box stores, except for stores that prohibit youth from entry or stores that require membership. Attachment I provides additional information on the survey and findings.

The tobacco-related findings from this survey were presented to Family and Human Services Committee on 4/14/14, as part of the annual update on implementation of the Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance. The Committee directed staff to develop policy options to address youth tobacco influences in the retail environment. Committee Staff recommended that the report be presented to the full Board for referral to the Family and Human Services Committee to provide additional direction if necessary.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this Action is not approved, the public's health may not be protected to the extent possible.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Tobacco products are still being promoted to children through availability of youth-friendly flavored tobacco products and inexpensive small packs of these products; exposure to tobacco marketing in the retail environment; and the sale and marketing of tobacco products near schools and other youth sensitive areas. Policies options to address these issues will discourage youth from tobacco use and promote healthier communities.