Manteca is no longer just going after smoke shops that sell cannabis products.

The city is taking aim at all smoke shops.

The reason?

They are alarmed about the:

*recent proliferation of tobacco retailer businesses.

*locations of tobacco retailer businesses.

* harmful effects of tobacco and other products sold at the establishments containing industrial hemp on the health, safety, and welfare of Manteca residents and especially youth.

The City Council on April 25 adopted an urgency ordinance imposing temporary moratorium on the establishment of new, and relocation or expansion, of existing tobacco retailer businesses, also known as smoke shops, within the city limits.

Last week, staff informed the council they were working on adopting a new ordinance to further regulate tobacco retail sales, including:

*potential license requirements.

*signage restrictions.

*imposing sensitive area restrictions.

Staff expects to present an ordinance for council consideration within three   City anticipates introducing an ordinance within the next one (1) to three (3) months.

Councilwoman Regina Lackey originally raised the concern about the growing number of smoke shops in Manteca carrying cannabis products, some of which apparently are illegal for smoke shops to sell.

Municipal staff, at the council’s direction, took a close look at smoke shops in the city.

Staff noted the Manteca Police Department, along with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, regularly conduct inspections of tobacco retailers, and continually find that these businesses are often engaged in illegal activity, including the sale of:

*cannabis

*flavored tobacco products

*unstamped cigarettes

*out of state stamped cigarettes

*untaxed tobacco products

*and various activity without the required permits and licenses.

Officials say the sale of illegal items at these businesses encourages criminal activity, and these businesses are often a target for theft, vandalism, and loitering,

Various local jurisdictions have adopted similar urgency ordinances to address these concerns, including San Joaquin County, the City of Stockton, and the City of Modesto.

This is not the first time the City of Manteca has addressed the ease youth have of accessing tobacco products.

Back in the late 1970s, the city became the first jurisdiction in California to ban the placement of cigarette machines in restaurants and other locations legally accessed by youth.

The late Trena Kelley noticed students regularly entering the foyer of a restaurant near Manteca High on the way to and from school to buy cigarettes.

Kelley’s efforts helped her get elected eventually as the city’s first directly-elected mayor.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabullletin.com