Following alarming health disparities reported in Santa Clara County's Latino population, San Jose councilmembers, led by Peter Ortiz, propose a temporary ban on new smoke shops. This six-month to one-year moratorium aims to reduce tobacco retailers and create stricter licensing for sellers. Ortiz highlights concerns about children's exposure to these shops near schools and the detrimental health effects on the community. This proposal comes after a significant health report indicating worse health outcomes for Latinos in the county, emphasizing the need for action to combat preventable health issues like cancer, which is especially prevalent in East San Jose.
"We cannot allow our children to walk past two or three smoke shops just to make it to their school. Enough is enough," said Ortiz during the announcement.
"This is a pause so we can finally draw a line in the sand, said Councilmember Ortiz about the moratorium proposal to stem the spread of tobacco retailers.
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