Cities in Imperial County receive poor grades in “State of Tobacco Control” report
Only one city in Imperial County received a passing grade on the annual “State of Tobacco Control” report. According to the American Lung Association in Califonia, more work needs to be done to protect communities from the deadly effects of tobacco use.
Cities were graded on three categories that included smoke-free outdoor air, smoke-free housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products.
Debra Kelley, Director of the American Lung Association in California said, “In these categories and the individual items in there really reflect a consensus of California Tobacco Control movement, about which policies have the most impact.”
Local ordinances that charge retailers who sell tobacco products are one area that needs to be improved.
Kelley said, “We encourage communities to implement local retailer licensing programs because it charges the retailer a fee. That fee goes for enforcement programs and it holds retailers accountable for not selling tobacco products to kids.”
Marla Gonzalez, a worried resident is concerned about the local smoking policies.
“I go to public places all the time. I see people smoking outside of buildings. They have no concern about it. I never see the signs. I don’t see anything prohibiting anything. And yeah as a parent, a parent to three, I’m a grandmother to one, I definitely want my children to be safe here,” said Gonzalez.
One city has already been working with the American Cancer Society on what policy changes they can make.
Alexis Chalupnik, Public Information Officer for the city of Imperial said, “We met with them to explore policies and the implementation of an ordinance for multi-housing developments coming in. Implementing smoke-free ordinances restrictions on those developments. As well as smoke-free outdoor non-recreational areas.”
Bettering the health of the locals is a priority for the city.
“We want to do what we can to increase the quality of life and the life expectancy of our residents within our community,” Chalupnik added.
The city of Imperial will consider voting on implementing the new ordinances in the next city council meeting.
