California Continues Investment to Combat the Illegal Sale of Tobacco Products to Youth: Attorney General Announces New Funding Available for Local Governments Through the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice is now accepting proposals for the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program. The program aims to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products by providing approximately $28.5 million in grant funding to eligible local agencies. Local public agencies are encouraged to apply and make use of funding to enforce state and local laws related to the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.

“Together with local law enforcement, we’re successfully collaborating and coordinating efforts to put a halt to the dangers of illicit tobacco products,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We must continue to enforce California’s laws around tobacco products, and this funding will allow our communities to do just that, and hold those who violate the law accountable.”

Companies make and market tobacco products that target our youth with a myriad of kid-friendly flavors and loaded with the highly addictive chemical nicotine, which has been found harmful to the developing brains of children and young adults. Surveys show flavored tobacco products remain the products of choice for young people. In 2023, among students reporting current e-cigarette use, 89.4% used flavored products. Tobacco usage during adolescence increases the risk for lifelong nicotine addiction and adverse health consequences.

The California Department of Justice’s Tobacco Grant Program aims to reduce childhood addiction to tobacco products by supporting local partners who:

1. Enforce the statewide retail flavor ban and similar local retail flavor ordinances;
2. Prosecute and penalize retailers who sell or market tobacco products to youth under the age of 21, including over the internet;
3. Educate and inform tobacco retailers on state and local tobacco laws; and
4. Investigate and inspect retailer licensing compliance.

The program is funded by Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. To date, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $185 million in grant funding to approximately 406 grantees through a competitive process.

Attorney General Bonta remains committed to combating illegal marketing and sale of tobacco products. Last year, Attorney General Bonta helped secure a $462 million multistate settlement agreement with electronic cigarette maker, JUUL, Labs, Inc. (JUUL). Of the $462 million settlement amount, California will receive a total of $175.8 million, the highest amount of any state settlement yet reached with JUUL. The settlement will help California fund research, education, and enforcement efforts related to e-cigarettes. JUUL will also be prohibited from targeting youth in its advertising and promotion under the terms of the deal. This year, the Attorney General sponsored legislation to improve implementation of ban on flavored tobacco products. 

For more information about the grant application process or qualifications, please visit oag.ca.gov/tobaccogrants.