Tobacco Retailer Program

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In May 2004, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a local ordinance (Title 4, Chapter 4.07 of the Sacramento County Code) that requires all tobacco retailers in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County to obtain a business license and have an unannounced inspection performed once per year to ensure compliance to regulations regarding sale of tobacco and tobacco products.

Since 2004, representatives from the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) have been conducting annual inspections at tobacco retailer facilities. The purpose of these inspections is to prevent the sale of tobacco and tobacco products to under age purchasers. The following items are inspected for compliance:

  • Display of Tobacco Retailer License.
  • Display of appropriate signage prohibiting the sale of tobacco and tobacco products to minors.
  • Display of cigarettes in a manner that prevents self-service of cigarettes to the public.
  • Proper packaging of cigarettes and "roll-your-own" tobacco.
  • Selling bidis (also spelled "beedis", hand-rolled filterless cigarettes imported from India and some Southeast Asian countries) in only those facilities that prohibit the presence of minors.

For additional information or if you have comments about the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program please contact EMD at the address below:

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department
Environmental Health Division
11080 White Rock Rd., Suite 200
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

916-875-8440
916-875-8513 (fax)
emdinfo@saccounty.net