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9.A. - Page 2 of 31 Health impacts of smoking Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. It causes and contributes to many forms of cancer, as well as heart and respiratory diseases among other health disorders. The financial cost of tobacco uses in San Mateo County alone amounted to over $575 million in direct health care expense over the five year period from 2006-2010. Flavored tobacco products are commonly sold by California tobacco retailers and promote youth initiation of tobacco use. The flavored products help young occasional smokers to become daily smokers by reducing or masking the natural harshness and taste of tobacco smoke and thereby increasing the appeal of tobacco products. In December 2018, the surgeon general declared the use of e -cigarettes among youth an "epidemic." According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration's national youth tobacco survey, the percentage of high school-age children reporting past 30 -day use of e -cigarettes rose by more than 75 percent between 2017 and 2018. Use among middle school-age children also increased nearly 50 percent (Attachment B). As this situation is of national concern, numerous States and Cities around the country have adopted policies and regulations in response to the surgeon general's epidemic declaration (Attachment C). Redwood City's Current Smoking Regulations City and state laws currently regulate the sale and use of tobacco products in Redwood City. California prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, requires that retailers check photo IDs of purchasers, requires that online retailers obtain and verify photo IDs and requires that tobacco products be stored behind the counter or in lockboxes. In addition to these state regulations, Chapter 15 — Smoking Regulations of the Redwood City Municipal Code requires brick -and -mortar retailers to obtain retail sales permits from the County. Currently, the City has twelve tobacco/vaping businesses, three hookah lounges, one smoking lounge and numerous businesses with retail tobacco permits (liquor stores, convenience stores, gas stations) with City business licenses on file. In accordance with Section 15.3 of the City of Redwood City Municipal Code, smoking is prohibited in enclosed public places and businesses. Additionally, in November 2017, the City Council passed an ordinance to ban smoking of all kinds in multi -family housing units as a result of community concerns and the hazards of secondhand smoke. This law affects all multi -family buildings with two or more attached units including duplexes, apartment buildings, condominium complexes, senior and assisted living facilities, and long-term health care facilities. What is considered a flavored tobacco product? A flavored tobacco product is any nicotine or tobacco product, including but not limited to smokeless/chew, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, vape liquid (used in e -cigarettes), and hookah tobacco, that contains an aroma and/or flavor, such as menthol, mint, fruit, spice, sweet, or a food or drink product (i.e. Pancake or Cherry Slush). 2of6 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 279