The Placer County Tobacco Prevention Program is working on implementing tobacco retail density and zoning policies in Placer County, with the goal to minimize the presence of future tobacco retailers within 1,000 feet of a school and within 500 feet of another tobacco retailer.
The proximity of tobacco retailers to schools is associated with higher smoking rates and gives the impression that tobacco is easy to obtain.
According to the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community survey (2016), there are 283 youth per store that sells tobacco products in Placer County. This is significantly higher than the statewide rate of 267 youth per store that sells tobacco products.
Furthermore, a survey of 27 Northern California counties (including Placer County) found that almost 23% of high school students use tobacco products. This is significantly higher than the statewide rate of 14% of youth who use tobacco products. In 2016, the Placer County Tobacco Prevention Program conducted a community Public Opinion Survey, and found that 63% of respondents believe that it is easy for youth to access tobacco products in Placer County.
Additionally, the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community survey (2016) revealed that in Placer County 19% of tobacco retailers near schools displayed tobacco advertising, 77% of tobacco retailers near schools sold Swisher Sweets for less than $1, and 85% of tobacco retailers near schools sold flavored non-cigarette tobacco products. Currently, 1 jurisdiction in Placer County has a tobacco retail density and zoning policy (Rocklin).