Tobacco Grant Program FY 2023-24 Request for Proposals

Purpose

The purpose of this grant offered through the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program is to promote a healthier California by reducing illegal sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors and youth.

Description

In accordance with Proposition 56, funds will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate the capacity to support and/or hire law enforcement officers for programs that include, but are not limited to: - enforcing state laws and local ordinances relating to illegal sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth; and/or - increasing investigative activities and compliance checks of tobacco retailers and online services that deliver tobacco products to reduce illegal sale of tobacco products to minors and youth. A priority for this funding cycle is retail education and enforcement. Below are examples of local entities that are eligible to apply for funds as part of the Tobacco Grant Program in this cycle. Local law enforcement, including police departments, sheriffs’ departments, and school police departments that apply for funding to: - enforce the statewide retail flavor ban and similar local retail flavor ordinances; - conduct minor decoy and shoulder tap operations; - provide education classes or diversion programs for tobacco retailers to help ensure that they understand and comply with state and local tobacco laws; - Investigate online and delivery services. City attorneys, county counsels or district attorneys who apply for funding to: - decrease access to unlawful tobacco products, for instance, through prosecuting cases involving contraband or unstamped tobacco products; - investigate and take enforcement action against non-compliant business establishments; - develop multilingual media outreach campaigns; - investigate and prosecute the unlawful sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors on the internet. Public school districts, public college districts, and law enforcement agencies under contract with school districts that apply for funding to: - perform public education outreach; - carry out enforcement operations and inspections at retail locations in the proximity of school zones; - create media awareness campaigns that are designed and implemented by youth. Eligible agencies with an existing Tobacco Grant award may submit a proposal to supplement the objectives of their existing award; a proposal for a new award to fund new objectives; or if their grant is expiring, a new grant award. Note: Agencies proposing partnerships between local law enforcement and public school districts, County Officers of Education, or college districts must include a letter of intent from the partnering public agency as part of the grant application. These applications must also explain how the proposed partnerships will focus on tobacco-related restorative or supportive practices rather than punitive consequences for tobacco violations. Funding for enforcement personnel on school campuses is not a priority in this funding cycle. keywords: education, law enforcement, tobacco enforcement, restorative justice, consumer protection, vaping, vape, tobacco, enforcement, schools, Prop 56, prevention, healthcare