a.In promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of its residents, the City has a substantial interest in encouraging compliance with federal, state, and local laws regulating tobacco sales and use.

b.State law permits local governments to enact ordinances regarding the local licensing of retailers of tobacco and allows for the suspension or revocation of a local license for a violation of any state tobacco control law.

c.This Article is adopted to: (1) ensure compliance with business standards and practices of the City; (2) encourage responsible retailing of tobacco; (3) limit the sale of tobacco products to those with the taste or aroma of tobacco, or no taste or aroma at all; and (4) discourage violations of tobacco-related laws, but not to expand or reduce the degree to which the acts regulated by federal or state law are criminally proscribed or otherwise regulated. (Ord. 3674 § 6, 2023; Ord. 3654 § 3, 2022; Ord. 3508 § 2, 2014. Formerly 19-105)