Corte Madera’s Town Council has taken the first formal step towards banning the sale of all tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, vapes and nicotine pouches.
The proposed ordinance was introduced by a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, September 1, in the Marin County town. It must return to the council for formal adoption before it can take effect.
If approved, existing licensed retailers would be allowed to sell their remaining stock until January 31, 2027. The prohibition would then become enforceable from February 1, 2027, and would also cover commercial deliveries to addresses within Corte Madera.
The measure would apply to cigarettes, cigars, smokeless and pipe tobacco, electronic smoking devices, heated smoking systems, tobacco and nicotine pouches, and related components and accessories. It would not prevent individuals from possessing or using products bought elsewhere.
Products approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for tobacco or nicotine cessation would remain available, provided they were marketed and sold solely for that approved purpose. The proposed rules contain no permanent exemptions for particular products or businesses.
Council member Eli Beckman, who proposed advancing the ordinance, said the council should listen to concerns raised by pupils from nearby Redwood High School, several of whom spoke in favour of the ban during the public hearing.
Council members Pat Ravasio and Fred Casissa backed the proposal. Mayor Rosa Thomas and council member James Andrews voted against it, with Mr Andrews warning that at least six small, family-owned businesses could be adversely affected.
The council had previously voted 4-1 in August to instruct staff to prepare a revised version of the ordinance. Corte Madera adopted separate restrictions earlier this year banning the sale of vapes, heated smoking systems and nicotine pouches, while imposing minimum prices and ending discounts on other tobacco products.
