Lede: The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved introduction of an ordinance to establish a minimum floor price law for tobacco and nicotine products in unincorporated Marin, ban sales of electronic smoking devices and heated smoking systems, and prohibit coupons and discounts.

Nut graf: Staff and public-health advocates told the board the county faces rising youth nicotine use and a proliferation of high-nicotine products: county data presented at the meeting showed elevated vaping, cigarette and marijuana use among local 11th graders compared with statewide averages. The ordinance would set a $12 minimum price per pack-equivalent, set minimum pack sizes, ban the sale of vaping devices and heated systems in unincorporated areas, and add a $1 automatic price increase every two years.

Body: Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora and Marin County tobacco-prevention staff presented evidence the countys youth vaping rates are above the state average and shared national and local studies about nicotine levels in contemporary disposable vape devices. Raven Twilling, a county youth-coordinator, told the board that about half of 11th graders report vaping and that 70% of 11th graders say fapes are easy to access in Marin.

The ordinance proposal includes a $12 minimum floor price for commercial tobacco and nicotine pouches, a minimum pack size to discourage single-unit sales, a ban on sale of vaping products and heated smoking systems, a prohibition on coupons and similar discounts, and an automatic $1 price increase every two years to preserve the policy's effectiveness over time.

Public-health advocates and medical professionals spoke in support and urged robust cessation and education efforts alongside policy change. Some local retailers and business groups urged caution, arguing enforcement and cross-border purchases could affect small stores. The county said it will pair the ordinance with education, cessation referrals (including state quitline services) and enforcement through existing tobacco-retail licensing and an MOU with law enforcement.

Ending and next steps: The board approved introduction with a roll-call vote and scheduled adoption for Nov. 18, giving cities and towns time to consider parallel ordinances. County staff said the goal is countywide alignment to avoid a patchwork of rules; at the meeting staff also named neighboring counties and cities that have adopted similar rules and said they will provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions.