Hollister council members Monday approved a ban against tobacco sales in local pharmacies. The city is the first in the Central Coast region with such a ban.
Council members approved the ban in a 4-0 vote, with the prohibition going into effect in six to seven months when all current, affected tobacco licenses expire, City Manager Bill Avera said. Councilman Ray Friend was absent for the vote.
Hollister council members in February expressed unanimous support for an idea to ban tobacco-related sales in local pharmacies. The move will make Hollister the first city in the Central Coast region to implement such a ban.
In February, the council heard from Dr. Anju Goel, the county’s public health officer, and other advocates for policies banning tobacco-related sales in pharmacies. Goel and other supporters of the ban spoke again Monday.
She acknowledged there may be a slight loss in revenue for affected businesses and, in return, the city coffers.
“I think what we’re gaining in health measures is far more significant,” Goel said Monday.
The health officer in her February pitch said a half-million people die every year from tobacco-related illness and that tobacco-related issues cost California about $18 billion annually. She said selling tobacco products contradicts pharmacies’ mission.
Goel at the time said there were seven pharmacies in Hollister and three of them have independently decided not to sell tobacco products. She and Mayor Ignacio Velazquez earlier this year honored Nob Hill in Hollister for its decision to pull tobacco products from shelves starting in February.
Avera, the city manager, noted Monday how the ordinance will affect three to four pharmacies in Hollister. He recommended approval of the item.
Councilwoman Mickie Luna did ask Avera about potential tax-revenue implications.
“Without doing some additional research on that, I can’t really tell you,” Avera said.
