Schulman asks about tobacco retail density, complaints, and amendments

Has, can you, what specific, wait, sorry.

Do you have evidence that tobacco retail density is associated with adverse health outcomes at the community district level?

I'm not sure if we've analyzed that at the community district level.

It is, I think, irrefutable that tobacco is of public health concern, and one of the core strategies in tobacco control is retail reduction.

We want to reduce just the prevalence, availability, the normalization of the use of tobacco products, and that's consistent with other legislation around licenses that we've worked on together, as well as the Smoke-Free Air Act overall.

And again, that's because of the evidence connecting tobacco with health harms.

Do you have data on complaints, inspections, violations, or other health-related concerns involving currently registered tobacco bars?

Do you know the answer to that?

I don't know.

I think we would have to double check specifically about tobacco bars.

Can you get back to us because that would play into a lot of this.

Okay.

How many tobacco bars currently operate in the city, do you know?

There are currently five operating in the city, and as mentioned, that is a reduction from the eight, consistent with the intention of reducing exposure to these businesses that have health harms.

Would you have specific amendments to make the bill workable for small businesses while preserving the public health objectives of the existing tobacco licensing framework?

I think we'd welcome the opportunity to discuss that further.

We would want to make sure that health is at the forefront of any considerations.

Okay, I'm going to turn it over to my colleagues now.

I have other questions, but I wanted them to have the opportunity.

So Councilmember Epstein is first.