Staff
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice is now accepting proposals for the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program until June 28.
This program allocates approximately $28.5 million in grants to eligible local agencies for the enforcement of state and local laws against the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.
“Together with local law enforcement, we’re successfully collaborating and coordinating efforts to put a halt to the dangers of illicit tobacco products,” Bonta said.
“We must continue to enforce California’s laws around tobacco products, and this funding will allow our communities to do just that, and hold those who violate the law accountable.”
Funded by Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, the program has already distributed around $185 million to about 406 grantees through competitive selection.
In light of California’s statewide ban on all flavored tobacco sales effective since December 2022, the significance of this funding is underscored by a 2023 CDC survey showing that nearly 90% of young e-cigarette users prefer flavored varieties.
The grant program is committed to reducing childhood addiction to tobacco products by supporting local partners who enforce the statewide retail flavor ban and similar local retail flavor ordinances; prosecute and penalize retailers who sell or market tobacco products to youth under the age of 21, including over the internet; educate and inform tobacco retailers on state and local tobacco laws, and investigate and inspect retailer licensing compliance.
Local public agencies authorized to enforce tobacco-related laws, such as police and sheriff’s departments, legal and health departments, as well as educational institutions, are encouraged to apply.
For application details, interested parties should visit the Office of the Attorney General’s website.