Marin Teens Push for Nicotine Sales Ban in Ross

Marin County Youth Advocates for Tobacco and Vaping Ban in Ross

A group of young advocates from Marin County has recently taken a bold step by urging the Ross Town Council to implement a ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine vaping products within the town. This initiative comes as no stores in Ross currently sell these items, and the Youth Advocacy Committee aims to ensure that this status remains unchanged permanently.

Diana Garcia, a student at Novato High School and a member of the committee, presented the proposal to the council on Thursday. She emphasized that Ross is in a unique position, as it currently has no tobacco retailers. The presentation was well-received, with two council members agreeing to schedule a discussion on a potential ordinance based on the group’s proposal. Town Manager Christa Johnson mentioned that a hearing is likely to take place this fall.

Mayor Julie McMillan expressed her admiration for the students’ efforts, noting their poise and passion during the presentation. “The materials they presented were compelling,” she said. The Youth Advocacy Committee, composed of high school students from Marin County, focuses primarily on preventing smoking and promoting public health. The group is supported by the nonprofit Bay Area Community Resources and Marin County's Tobacco Prevention Team.

Raven Twilling, a tobacco prevention coordinator for Bay Area Community Resources, serves as an advisor to the students. Twilling highlighted the importance of working with communities like Ross, which have minimal or no tobacco outlets. “Policies ending the sale of tobacco are relatively new, so we want to start with jurisdictions that have very few tobacco retailers,” she explained. This approach minimizes the impact on local businesses while protecting youth from exposure to these harmful products.

Ross already enforces smoke-free policies in public spaces and apartments. Additionally, any retailer wishing to sell tobacco products must obtain a license from the town. These measures have contributed to a safer environment for residents, particularly young people.

Kimberly De Leon, a recent graduate of Branson School and a member of the committee, shared the group’s vision. They aim to collaborate with policymakers, local organizations, and residents to raise awareness about the dangers of nicotine use among youth. “We hope to set a positive example for our neighboring communities,” she said.

The committee cited data from the California Healthy Kids Survey, which revealed that 11th graders in Marin County have a higher vaping rate (17%) compared to the state average (10%). Similarly, the smoking rate among 11th graders in Marin County stands at 6%, significantly higher than the state average of 2%.

Rhett Krawitt, a Redwood High School student and another committee member, focused on the relationship between the density of tobacco retailers and youth exposure. He explained that more retailers increase the likelihood of youths encountering advertisements and promotions for these products. “With increased retailer density, youths are also more likely to be exposed to others using these products,” he noted.

Krawitt also mentioned that the group plans to present a similar proposal to the Tiburon Town Council. Their initiative for Ross included letters of support from medical professionals, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

Dr. Jason Nau, president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society, wrote to the council, expressing his approval of Ross’s current policy. “We are pleased that Ross currently has no tobacco retailers within its jurisdiction and believe that it is essential that we take proactive steps to ensure that this remains the case,” he stated.

Ruth Malone, a retired professor of nursing and health policy at the University of California, San Francisco, added her voice to the cause. Her decades of work in tobacco research have shown the devastating impact of smoking. “To some, banning tobacco sales may seem unthinkable,” she wrote. “What is truly unthinkable is that we have let this all go on so long, decades after we had evidence that tobacco caused extensive addiction, disease and death.”

This initiative reflects a growing movement among young people to take control of their health and future. By advocating for stricter regulations on tobacco and vaping products, the Youth Advocacy Committee is paving the way for a healthier, smoke-free community.