Health advocates urge Southgate to tighten tobacco retail rules amid survey showing retailers near schools

A coalition funded through Los Angeles County public health told the Southgate City Council on April 28 that local surveys and retail mapping show high youth exposure to flavored and electronic nicotine products. Cassandra Tomo, community engagement coordinator with Social Model Recovery System, said staff surveyed 400 residents and found 89% supported a local policy to limit tobacco sales.

Tom o summarized retail findings: "Many tobacco retailers are located in close proximity to schools," she said, adding that 96% of schools fell within 500 feet of at least one tobacco retailer and that 46% of local stores displayed at least one flavored tobacco product. "These products are often designed with a wide variety of appealing flavors that can attract younger individuals," she told the council.

A youth coalition member, Jel Bonia, described seeing peers bring vapes to school and use them in bathrooms and passing periods: "It's becoming so normalized that people talk openly about which local stores don't check IDs... That's why I'm asking you, our city leaders, to act and take a meaningful step
nd adopt a tobacco retail license," she said.

Councilmembers thanked the presenters and several proposed returning the matter to a future agenda with concrete options, including a moratorium on new retail licenses and possible prohibitions on flavored products near youth‑sensitive areas. Staff cautioned that any ordinance would require formal posting and outreach to retailers and that enforcement capacity is a constraint for a city with limited staffing and tight finances.

What happens next: Council members asked staff to return with options and an enforcement evaluation; some members signaled interest in placing a limited moratorium on new tobacco retail licenses while staff prepares an implementable ordinance for a future meeting.