| Stanislaus
County – Youth, anti-tobacco activists are inviting retailers who
sell tobacco products to attend a town hall meeting to discuss a proposed
ordinance that would require retailers who sell tobacco products to become
licensed. The meeting is not open to the general public.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on today, July 21, 2004 from 3:00
p.m.– 5:00 p.m. at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center Harvest
Hall, at 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. The Agricultural Center is located
off Crowslanding Road between Hackett Road and Service Road.
A 2002 survey indicated that over 26% of retailers in Stanislaus County
are illegally selling tobacco products to youth. That number increased
from a low of 13% in 2001.
Key provisions of the proposed ordinance would include a $200 license
fee, sheriff’s department undercover “decoy” sting operations
and penalties for violation of the ordinance.
The town hall meeting will be hosted by the Stop Tobacco Sales to Youth
Committee, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency Tobacco Education
Program (TEP), Stanislaus County Counsel, and the Sheriff’s Department.
For more information, you can log onto www.smokefreeyouth.net.
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