Richmond City Council on Tuesday extended a year-long moratorium on new tobacco retailers within the city by another year to allow for more research on future regulations.
However, businesses holding valid tobacco licenses between 2018 and 2024 will be allowed to continue to have their licenses, provided they are not found to have engaged in illegal activities.Â
In 2018, the city council adopted regulations requiring tobacco retailers to obtain a local license with local standards. Since then, however, there has been a “proliferation” of tobacco shops in Richmond, including smoke shops that sell vaporizer devices, illegal cannabis and other products that can end up in the hands of youth.
In April last year, the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance banning any new tobacco retailer within the city. City inspections have since discovered a broader problem. Prior to the moratorium, the city had issued 32 tobacco licenses to city retailers. Another 51 retailers are being monitored by code enforcement for selling tobacco without a license, according to the city.
Some retailers were found to have underage employees. Illegal items were found hidden in secret compartments, like hidden doors and drawers, inspectors said.
The city met with retailers and residents on potential regulations, but more time is needed to develop effective rules, city officials said.
Oscar Garcia, speaking in representing the 23rd Street Merchants Association and the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council, strongly supported extending the moratorium, noting community members have been pushing to put a stop to unlicensed tobacco retailers for the last two years.
“The city still hasn’t inspected all of the smoke shops because there are just so many,” Garcia said.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, however, some community members advocated against preventing existing retailers that are following the rules from renewing their licenses. A member of a family that operates two licensed stores in the city said some retailers haven’t received information on how to apply for a tobacco license since the city program started in 2018. Longtime businesses could be ruined if barred from being able to renew their licenses, he added. The City Council ultimately opted to extend the moratorium for a year while allowing valid license holders the opportunity to keep theirs.
The city will host a second Community Workshop on this issue on April 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. inside Richmond City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza. The city also plans to meet with the West Contra Costa Unified School District on the issue. Draft regulations will be presented to the Planning Commission prior to appearing before the City Council.
