Smoking and Tobacco Outreach/Prevention Program (STOPP)

STOPP is a tobacco-control program that works with schools, community-based and faith-based organizations, law enforcement, businesses, and residents of San Joaquin County. STOPP provides education, community engagement, and cessation resources to those who want to quit tobacco products. The program works to ensure all community members live, work, play, and learn in tobacco-free environments

Program Goals for 2022-2025

STOPP is focused on these tobacco-control Priorities:

Program Accomplishments

• The City of Stockton adopted a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, prohibiting the proximity of new tobacco retailers to youth-sensitive areas, and regulating the growth of smoke and vape shops in the city.
• San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) adopted a 100% smoke-free policy, including smoke-free bus stops.
• University of the Pacific (UOP) adopted a 100% smoke-free policy. This made all universitites in San Joaquin County smoke-free.

Tobacco Use in Our County

Despite years of decline, tobacco use throughout the County continues to negatively impact many residents. In fact, the County has a higher rate of tobacco use than the rest of California. We see strong differences in tobacco use by reace/ethinicity and among populations by socioeconomic status, education, occupation, mental health status, sexual orientation, and geography. These high-risk groups suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related illnesses.

SJC Tobacco Data

_{Source: ¹California HEalth Interview Survey. CHIS 2016, CHIS 2017, and CHIS 2018 Adult Files. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research; February 2020.}

^{2 California Student Tobacco Survey. CSTS 2019-20. San Diego.}

^{3Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community. HSHC 2019. Sacramento, CA: California Tobacco Control Program, California Department of Public Health.}

Information For Tobacco Retailers

California Prohibits Retailers from Selling Flavored Tobacco Products

On November 8, 2022, California voters upheld Senate Bill 793, prohibiting tobacco retailers in the state of California from selling most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. Certification of the election results is expected by December 16, 2022, and the law is anticipated to go into effect on December 21, 2022. To help you and your tobacco retail store prepare for implementation of the law, please visit the California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Branch to learn more and access additional resources.. For more information, contact STOPP at STOPP@sjcphs.org or call 209-468-2415.

Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement

As of December 2019, the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco products was raised from 18 to 21, with no exemption for military personnel. In California, the "Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement" Act (STAKE Act) prohibits the sale of all tobacco products-including e-cigarettes-to minors under 21.

California law requires all tobacco retailers post a STAKE Act sign at each Cash Register.

All Tobacco retailers must also display their valid California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License where the public can see it.

Learn more: Retail packet on California tobacco retailer regulations