El Centro issues 45 day ban on tobacco retailers
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – In recent years, El Centro has seen more tobacco shops popping up around town.
“We’ve seen an increase in tobacco retail stores especially in our downtown area, and the location is sometimes linked to neighborhood complaints, crime, and deterioration of the surrounding area,” says Hernandez.
But city leaders and public health officials say it’s not about shutting shops down. It’s about collaborating on thoughtful solutions.
“We wanna work with existing tobacco retail stores, see how we can work together to develop thoughtful zoning and regulations, to help them succeed but also protect the public health,” says Hernandez
The 45-day ban gives city leaders time to gather feedback and figure out what future rules could look like.
“What we wanna take right now is take this time to thoroughly assess the impacts and also establish what kind of smart regulations we can apply,” says Hernandez
For now, the 45-day ban gives city officials time to study the issue — and figure out what long-term rules could look like.
“After 45 days, we will appear in front of city council, and we’re likely gonna have to extend the moratorium,” says Hernandez.
It’s a process that could shape how future tobacco shops fit into El Centro’s neighborhoods.