Photo courtesy of the City of Santa Rosa.
The Santa Rosa City Council are split in support over tobacco licensing regulations intended to curb youth smoking by banning the sale of flavored tobacco and electronic cigarettes and restricting the number of retailers. The split in support was a result of concern from several council members over the fallout for small business owners. Ultimately, a motion to adopt the ordinance to regulate tobacco and e-cigarettes at the May 21st meeting failed, with Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Mark Stapp and councilmembers Jeff Okrepkie voting against it. Mayor Rogers says she anticipates it will be revised and proposed again at a future meeting.