San Francisco Public Health approves $1.7M California DOJ Tobacco Grant program

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on the approval of a significant grant aimed at enhancing public health initiatives related to tobacco use. The meeting highlighted a resolution to retroactively authorize the Department of Public Health (DPH) to accept and expand a $1.7 million grant from the California Department of Justice. This funding is designated for the Tobacco Grants Program, covering the period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.

Jennifer Calwert, the principal environmental health inspector from DPH, presented details about the grant. She explained that the funding will support existing staff within the environmental health tobacco program and foster new partnerships with local school districts. The initiative aims to hire a resource coordinator and fund operations that include compliance inspections at retail facilities to prevent the sale of unapproved tobacco products, particularly to minors.

Key objectives of the grant include developing an online tobacco use intervention and prevention education program in collaboration with schools, with a goal of reducing tobacco use among students to below 10%. Additionally, the program plans to engage students in creating tobacco-free awareness posters to be displayed on public transit.

The grant will also facilitate the hiring of interns from marginalized communities to monitor illegal tobacco sales and support ongoing training and educational outreach efforts. The DPH aims to conduct compliance checks at approximately 500 retail establishments annually and share insights with other jurisdictions through training and conferences.

This initiative underscores San Francisco's commitment to public health and tobacco prevention, aiming to create a healthier environment for its youth and the broader community.