Multnomah County Commissioners will host a public hearing in Gresham Oct. 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. on licensing businesses that sell tobacco. Chair Deborah Kafoury and Commissioner Diane McKeel, who represents Gresham and most of East County, will host the event. The hearing the location is at the Gresham Conference Center, 331 NW Eastman Parkway, in Gresham, across from city hall.
The Board of County Commissioners is considering an ordinance that would require all tobacco and e-cigarette retailers to obtain an annual license.
The rate of illegal sales of tobacco to minors in Multnomah County is triple the national rate according to the most recent Synar studies by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Health Department first raised concerns because tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in the county and most users started before the age of 18.
Licensure laws have been effective at limiting illegal youth access to tobacco products in other counties and cities.
Commissioners have been collecting public input online on a proposed tobacco ordinance at multco.us. You can add your opinion here. On Oct. 20, the Board held two public hearings at the Multnomah Building in southeast Portland and in East County at David Douglas High School.
And next month, Chair Kafoury and Multnomah County Health Department staff will brief the city councils of Fairview and Wood Village on the proposal.City of Fairview Briefing:
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 8 p.m.
City Council Chambers
1300 NE Village StFairview, OR 97024
City of Wood Village Briefing:
Monday, Nov. 9th, 6 p.m.
City Council Chambers
20155 N.E. 238th Drive
Wood Village, OR 97060-1095