A rules committee will meet for a second time on Friday, April 8 on licensing tobacco retailers in Multnomah County. The Tobacco Retail Licensing Rules Advisory Committee will meet in the Lincoln Building Oak Room, 421 S.W. Oak, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The county plans to begin issuing the annual licenses on July 1, 2016 after a public education campaign. Enforcement is expected to begin in January 2017.
In November 2015, the Board of County Commissioners voted to license businesses that sell tobacco and vaping products after the county posted some of the highest rates of illegal sales to minors according to state and federal regulators. Studies have shown licensing sellers helps drive down the illegal sales.
The ordinance requires all grocers and retailers to get a license in order to sell tobacco and vaping products in Multnomah County. The board also approved an 18-member advisory committee that includes members of the public, business owners, community advocates and Health Department staff. The committee is scheduled to meet again on April 22. All meetings are public and the public will have a chance to review draft rules and comment online. A complete list of members and the schedule is here.
The Health Department will review the final rules, which will be adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
Questions can be emailed to hlth.tobacco.prevention@multco.us or by calling 503-988-4163.