Press Release Details
SF Board of Education supports proposed City legislation to raise minimum age for tobacco purchases Link to this section
January 27, 2016 (San Francisco) –San Francisco Board of Education commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to support proposed legislation by Supervisors Scott Wiener, Malia Cohen and Eric Mar, to raise the age to purchase tobacco products to 21.
The resolution was authored by President Matt Haney, Vice President Shamann Walton and Commissioner Hydra Mendoza.
“We support city supervisors in raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products in San Francisco. By doing so we hope to reduce tobacco use and dependence among persons under 21 and set youth on a healthier life path,” said Board President Haney.
The resolution cites the fact that tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, causing deaths of more than 480,000 people each year. The resolution also references a 2014 U.S. Surgeon General report that finds cigarette smoking today is more dangerous than previously thought.
Preliminary data of more than 430,000 middle and high school students from the California Healthy Kids Survey found that in 2013, six percent of 7th graders, 12 percent of 9th graders, and 14 percent of 11th graders had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
The resolution pledges to support the components of the proposed legislation (Ordinance Number #151179) by continuing to provide information to students—along with the San Francisco Department of Public Health—about the dangers of the usage of tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
SFUSD has several programs to promote healthy alternatives to drugs, alcohol and has robust tobacco use prevention curriculum, intervention strategies, as well as diversion and cessation programs.
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Page updated on 01/27/16