Schulman asks about tobacco bar relocation requests and COVID context
Schulman asks whether DOHMH has received relocation requests from tobacco bar operators and notes that some were displaced when landlords sold buildings during COVID. Kessler says she is not sure about specific requests and underscores the public health success of the Smoke-Free Air Act.
Okay, and now I'm going to ask about the tobacco bars, which I know is like a major issue for you guys.
Has DOHMH received requests from tobacco bar operators seeking to relocate due to financial hardship or other factors?
I just want to, for the record, say that
This bill came out of when COVID happened and there were landlords that sold buildings in which these establishments, because I know you're looking for attrition around these establishments.
And so they were put out of business before their natural life course would go out of business.
So they're seeking this one time.
Transfer of the license and then the nutrition would start from that point.
But I just wanted to point that out.
Anyway, have you received requests, and if so, how were those requests handled, and was any form of assistance offered to these operators?