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<br /> 2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95833 | (916)646-5999 | cfca.energy <br />owners keep their doors open and workers employed. For an industry where a majority of owner- <br />operators’ primary retirement asset lies in their business valuation, any threat to their ability to <br />sell tobacco can dramatically diminish any prospects of retirement. <br />Furthermore, San Mateo County’s tobacco ordinance also includes a prohibition on the retail sale <br />of any vapor products, even those deemed to be legal, unflavored varieties by the state of <br />California’s Unflavored Tobacco List. Introducing a product category ban could be detrimental to <br />not just Redwood City’s small retailers, but also to the Council’s public health goals. As <br />California’s experience with prohibition has indicated, product bans do not eliminate demand but <br />instead redirect it from the City’s retailers towards neighboring jurisdictions and, in the worst- <br />case scenario, the illicit market. This creates a no-winners situation where the City loses tax <br />revenue that would otherwise go towards funding vital local, state, and federal programs, while <br />also creating an environment for unregulated sellers to thrive – effectively undermining the <br />Council’s public health objectives. <br />Instead of adopting San Mateo County’s tobacco ordinance, we respectfully urge Redwood City <br />Council to pursue alternative methods of funding tobacco enforcement. A potential funding <br />measure is the implementation of a Redwood City-specific tobacco retailer licensing fee and <br />further tobacco product taxes. This presents an alternative policy option that avoids the adoption <br />of harmful restrictions in the County ordinance, circumventing the risk of unintended <br />consequences for the City’s local businesses. <br />We appreciate the Council’s consideration and look forward to collaborating with Redwood City <br />Council on a balanced, yet effective policy approach for tobacco regulation and enforcement. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Bryan Lam, Policy & Engagement Analyst <br />California Fuels & Convenience Alliance