Auburn tobacco stores may be licensed to sell

Stores that sell tobacco products inside Auburn city limits are facing an $850 yearly licensing fee under a proposal meant to cut down on vaping sales to youths. Auburn Police Chief Ryan Kinnan will be presenting the proposed licensing plan Monday to the City Council. The proposal follows a City Council request in April for staff to take a closer look at potential solutions to help curb vaping and tobacco use by youth in Auburn. In a report to City Council, Kinnan said that the city has 20 tobacco retailers at a time when the industry is offering flavors and products marketed to youth and a California Healthy Kids survey found 17 percent of youth in Auburn vape daily. Kinnan also cited statistics indicating 19 percent of the state's tobacco stores sold to underage young adults. Licensing would result in annual inspections at retail locations and puts in place penalties that could ultimately result in tobacco-sales suspensions or revocations for infractions. State law currently makes it a crime to furnish, sell and transfer tobacco products to anyone under 21, except for active duty military 18 or older. But Kinnan noted that recent legislation no longer makes it illegal for people under 21 to possess tobacco products. A new ordinance with a licensing component that includes educational programs for business owners and employees avoids a city-wide ban of flavored e-cigarette juices and pods, he said. "As a result of our retailer meeting, staff found that (a ban) would not keep the products from being purchased in a bordering community and used or possessed within city limits," Kinnan said. Instead, a countywide approach is being recommended to address any move toward an overall ban, he said. The $850 fee would offset costs associated with the education, enforcement and an administration functions of operating a licensing program, Kinnan said. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday in the Auburn City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way.