Members of the Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition presented the City Council with awards on April 24 recognizing Newark's adoption of a tobacco retail licensing ordinance aimed at reducing youth access to flavored tobacco products.

Renata Faraji, speaking for Newark Middle School PTSA, thanked the council: "We are very grateful for all your work and commitment to protecting the youth, from the dangers of tobacco," she said during the public comment and presentation portion of the meeting.

Amaya Whitting, cochair of the Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition, recapped the ordinance the council adopted in October 2024 and listed key provisions: prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco products with no exceptions; establishing minimum price and package-size requirements; prohibiting coupon redemption; creating civil penalties for violations; requiring compliance checks; limiting retailer density; and establishing a licensing fee to fund enforcement. "This TRL ordinance included many provisions aligned with best practices such as prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco products, no exceptions," Whitting said.

Whitting told the council that, following Newark's action, 14 jurisdictions in Alameda County now prohibit youth-friendly flavored tobacco products and that Newark had been awarded a California Department of Justice Tobacco Enforcement Grant to strengthen retailer inspections, education and task-force collaboration. The coalition presented a second award to Oscar Carrillo (City Community Preservation Manager) for leading the ordinance's development and initial implementation work, including educational outreach to retailers and coordination with county public health staff.

Mayor and council members thanked residents, the PTSA and city staff for the ordinance and for securing the grant. The presentations were ceremonial; council action on the ordinance took place in October 2024, according to speakers. Council and staff said they will return with implementation details and timelines as enforcement begins.