Organization Applauds Manhattan Beach Ban Of Retail Tobacco Sales

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), America's oldest anti-tobacco organization, has applauded the City of Manhattan Beach's tobacco sales ban ordinance that took effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Spearheaded by City Council member Steve Napolitano, City Council passed the law late in February 2020 and gave retailers time to phase-out sales by Jan. 1, 2021 or make a case for a hardship exemption. A similar law was enacted in Beverly Hills on New Year's Day, making both cities the first two in the nation to eliminate commercial tobacco sales.

"Cigarettes have become so normalized that to some this might seem like a drastic step," said Chris Bostic, ASH policy director. "But if another product emerged tomorrow that was highly addictive and killed when used as intended, of course we'd ban its sale. We'd probably charge the people who marketed it with manslaughter."

Said then Manhattan Beach Mayor Nancy Hersman of the action, which followed on the heels of the city's vaping restrictions, "It was surprising to me because it was a big step. We knew Beverly Hills had done it, but no one else. I was thrilled. We had banned smoking everywhere in the city, including in multi-family homes. It didn't make sense that we would continue to sell tobacco when people were not allowed to use it except in single-family homes and moving vehicles. It was important because studies had shown that once people were addicted to vaping products, when they tried to get off those products, many moved to cigarettes. It made sense to have a tobacco ban for all tobacco and vape products. We had support from the school district and the Beach Cities Health District was all in. Being a Blue Zone, it made total sense to include tobacco products in the ban."

Council member Napolitano shared his thoughts: "It was the obvious next step for the city to take given our smoking ban and ban on flavored vape products that are addicting a whole new generation of nicotine addicts. Tobacco has zero redeeming value and is the top cause of preventable death, yet it's been given a pass because of big tobacco's lobbying efforts. I don't like bans, but until tobacco is regulated more and flavored products are taken offline statewide, this is the easiest way to reduce access in our city and I encourage other cities to do the same."

At the Feb. 18, 2020 City Council meeting where council officially voted the ban in, now Mayor Suzanne Hadley was the solo dissenting voice, with council members Hersman, Montgomery, Napolitano and Stern voting for the ban on commercial tobacco sales in Manhattan Beach.

At tonight's council meeting, council will vote on whether or not to grant hardships to four retailers who'd applied. The three businesses set to be allowed to sell tobacco products until June 30, 2021 are Current Events, United Pacific and Aviation Liquor. MB Smoke is the business set to be allowed to sell tobacco products on a temporary basis until Dec. 31, 2021.

Current Events is located in Downtown Manhattan Beach at 1140 Highland Avenue; Aviation Liquor is at 975 Aviation Boulevard; MB Smoke is at 1005 North Aviation Boulevard, and United Pacific is at 2121 Highland Avenue.

Community members can provide ecomment on any items on the council agenda for tonight's meeting by going to this webpage. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and is virtual. Details for watching the meeting are on this city webpage.

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