Santa Monica : Cigarette Sale Ordinance

The City Council Tuesday night directed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance that would make it possible to enforce the existing prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors.

At the request of resident Patricia Hoffman, the council also agreed to examine the access of cigarette vending machines to minors. Hoffman told the council that 90% of new smokers begin smoking before age 21.

Currently, 44 states, including California, have laws restricting minors’ access to tobacco and imposing penalties for selling tobacco to underage customers. California, however, does not have enforcement provisions and does not prohibit cigarette vending machines accessible to minors.