Smokefree Lowcountry presents retail survey showing tobacco near youth sites; coalition urges local action amid state preemption

Danica Richardson, representing the nonprofit Smokefree Lowcountry, told the committee on May 6 that recent retail surveys in Berkeley and Charleston counties show tobacco products often appear near youth-oriented areas and that some retailers still offer self-service displays and youth-appealing flavors.

"The tobacco industry is relying heavily on youth recruiting to build up their customer base," Richardson said. She described the coalition’s 2025 retail work: the group targeted stores within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and other youth sites and then sampled hundreds of retailers to assess product placement, flavor signage and self-service availability.

Richardson reported that about 14% of sampled Charleston County stores displayed tobacco products near youth-oriented products and that roughly 11–15% of stores in the samples had proximity or self-service issues (she gave separate percentages for Berkeley and Charleston samples). She also said about 64% of the stores in one sample sold kratom near candy and flavored e-cigarette products.

Asked how local governments can respond, Richardson said state-level preemption limits some local restrictions on product sales and flavors. "We lost preemption," she told the committee, explaining that smokers’ and vapers regulations at the state level currently constrain municipal action on flavor bans. Given that barrier, Smokefree Lowcountry is focusing on targeted municipal smoking ordinances, school partnerships, retailer outreach and youth education.

Richardson outlined the coalition’s outreach plans—tabling at school events, distributing quit-line materials, offering training for local partners and hosting an annual meeting for members and partners. She invited committee members and city staff to collaborate and share data.

Why it matters: The presentation links retail marketing and product placement to youth exposure and public-health campaigns; it also underscores a legal constraint (state preemption) that the coalition says limits local policy options.

What's next: Smokefree Lowcountry will continue retailer surveys, outreach to local officials and school-based education; the coalition asked for partnerships and membership to expand activities.