The County ordinance amends Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 5.60 on Tobacco Retail Licensing to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars.

Enforcement of the ordinance begins on January 1, 2027.

The ordinance bans the sale of “partially inconsumable” cigarettes and cigars.

Please see the Retailer Infographic for examples of restricted products.

A partially inconsumable cigarette or cigar means any cigarette or cigar containing an embedded component or part commonly referred to or marketed as a filter that is not intended to be consumed, whether it is made of any material including, but not limited to, plastic, cellulose acetate, other fibrous plastic material, or any other inorganic, organic, or biodegradable material.

No, the ordinance applies only to cigarettes and cigars that contain an embedded filter. Other tobacco and nicotine products – such as unfiltered cigarettes and cigars, loose leaf tobacco, chewing tobacco, vape products, and nicotine pouches – are not affected by this policy. All existing federal, state and local tobacco retail regulations remain in effect.

Beginning in January of 2027, enforcement will include regular store compliance checks using both uniformed tobacco enforcement agents and a range of sales decoys. Enforcement will be based on visual and hands-on inspection of tobacco products.

The California Department of Justice’s Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) may be used as a reference tool. Retailers can use the search function to look up product names or keywords to help determine if a product contains an embedded filter.

Final determination is based on the product’s physical characteristics and whether it meets local ordinance requirements.

Civil penalties may involve the suspension and/or revocation of your local Tobacco Retailers License. Violation of the Santa Cruz County Code constitutes a misdemeanor and violators are subject to the appropriate criminal penalties including a fine not exceeding $1,000 and up to six months in County jail.

Yes. The County is gathering feedback to better understand retailers’ needs.

Retailers are encouraged to complete the anonymous survey.

Your responses may help inform future outreach materials and resources.

Retailers may wish to review their current inventory and supply practices in preparation for the January 1, 2027 enforcement date.