Slow dance of local tobacco legislation: How the nation's toughest tobacco retail licensing ordinance was passed in a business friendly county

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Robert S. Peterson, MPH, Riverside County Department of Public Health, 4065 County Circle Dr., Riverside, CA 92503, 951 358-7162, Rpeterso@co.riverside.ca.us and Florence S. Neglia, MBA, Riverside County Dept. of Public Health, 4065 County Circle Dr., Riverside, CA 92503.

On September 13, 2005 Riverside County Board of Supervisors, in Riverside, California voted unanimously to approve the toughest tobacco retail licensing legislation in the country. With a population of 2 million, Riverside County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country, and has been historically a very business friendly and "Red" county in recent elections. Over a two year period a coalition of youth and health organizations created a public sentiment regarding tobacco sales to minors by county merchants, and the need for licensing that could not be ignored by the elected officials. Using textbook community organization, tobacco lobbyists and special corporate interests were defeated time after time resulting in a public health victory.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

1.Identify stategies to neutralize business oposition to tobacco regulation.
2.Describe how to use the Cahmber of Commerce as an ally in tobacco legislation.
3.Identify which youth groups are effective in influencing local elected officials.

Keywords: Tobacco Legislation,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Tobacco Control, Litigation, Regulation, and Policy Poster Session

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA