The City of Palmdale has received a $793,170 grant from the California Department of Justice's Tobacco Grant Program. The grant will be used to augment the City's initiatives aimed at reducing the availability of tobacco products to underage consumers. The city was previously allocated $435K and $361K in 2018 and 2020, respectively, as per the official announcement.
The grant is set to enhance retail compliance measures, which encompass retailer inspections, targeting of non-compliant sellers, execution of flavor and traditional tobacco single-sale prohibitions, and operations against violators. In collaboration with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Palmdale Station, the City carries out investigations including minor decoy operations to uncover illegal underage sales.
In addition, the funds will also aid in the advancement of public signage displaying City and state tobacco-related restrictions in Palmdale parks and within 25 feet of City facilities.
Palmdale's Mayor, Laura Bettencourt, articulated her gratitude for the grant, detailing how it will aid in ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department to minimize illegal sales to minors, stating, "I congratulate City staff who worked hard to qualify this grant to continue these critical efforts towards illegal sales reduction and fostering a healthier community," as per the City's official website.
The California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Prop. 56) has led to the formation of the Tobacco Grant Program. This Act enforced an increase of $2.00 on cigarettes and other tobacco-related taxes effective from April 2017 and channelled a portion of the yearly revenue to the California Department of Justice. During the current funding cycle, the department has awarded 37 grants to various government agencies and local organizations, according to the City's official website.
