By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-02 19:26:24 | Updated at 2026-09-02 20:10:02
44 minutes ago
A Northern California city has moved to ban the sale of all tobacco and nicotine products from stores in the wealthy enclave.
The Corte Madera Town Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would prohibit businesses from selling, commercially distributing or delivering tobacco and nicotine products within the Marin County community, according to SFGate.
The sweeping ban would cover traditional cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, as well as newer products such as e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco devices and nicotine pouches such as Zyn.
Corte Madera — which has an average household income $232,763, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — is home to roughly 10,000 people. The ordinance would give retailers a limited window to clear out their inventory before the ban takes effect.
Under the proposal, stores would be allowed to sell their remaining tobacco and nicotine products through Jan. 31, 2027.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2027, sales of the products would be prohibited.
The measure does not ban residents from personally possessing or using tobacco or nicotine products.
The council’s vote came after an emotional public-comment session that included several students from Redwood High School’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education group.
Mari Silva, a senior at the school, urged officials to think about families who have already lost loved ones to tobacco-related illnesses, SFGate reported.
“Think about the people not here,” Silva said. “Protect one more family from this kind of loss.”
Another Redwood student, junior John Watson, told council members that he lost his grandfather to smoking and said he regularly sees students using tobacco or nicotine products in school bathrooms.
“I ask that you help those kids … you will be helping them and an entire generation,” Watson said.
The issue has also sparked fierce opposition, with some residents warning that the town could be crossing a dangerous line.
Corte Madera resident David Macpherson described the proposal as a “slippery slope,” while resident Peter Massick bluntly declared: “I’m also against prohibition.”
Councilmember Eli Beckman, however, argued that the council should take the students’ concerns seriously.
Beckman backed an option that would also prohibit sales of tobacco and nicotine products marketed for “other therapeutic purposes.” He said a recent visit to Redwood High School drove home how prevalent nicotine pouches have become, claiming he saw school bathroom urinals filled with them.
Beckman was joined by council members Pat Ravasio and Fred Casissa in voting to move the measure forward.
The town had previously cautioned residents on social media that an Aug. 4 meeting on the subject was only a step in the process and that no ban had yet been adopted at that point.
The council waived additional readings of the ordinance, meaning the measure is expected to return at a future meeting for formal adoption.
The proposal also contains an exception for FDA-authorized tobacco-cessation or therapeutic products when they are marketed and sold solely for their approved purpose.
If adopted, Corte Madera would effectively become a no-go zone for retailers looking to sell cigarettes, vapes, Zyn and other covered nicotine or tobacco products, while residents would still be free to possess and use them.
