The Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition (ACTCC) has selected the City of Newark to receive its 2025 Policy Leadership Award, recognizing the city’s significant contributions to tobacco control over the past year. The award was presented by ACTCC co-chair Amaya Wooding during the Newark City Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, following its announcement at the coalition’s annual awards ceremony on March 21.
As the Bay Area intensifies efforts to curb tobacco use, Newark has emerged as a notable participant in this regional initiative. Historically, Newark was the only city in Alameda County without a local tobacco retail policy, a gap that raised concerns about youth access to tobacco products.
To address this issue, the Newark City Council adopted Ordinance No. 552 on October 24, 2024. The new Ordinance mandated all tobacco retailers to obtain a city license and adhere to new sales regulations, effective March 1, 2025.
In the Bay Area, youth e-cigarette use remains a significant public health concern. According to the 2023 California Youth Tobacco Survey, 5.9% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, making vaping the most prevalent form of tobacco use among this demographic. Statewide, the 2023 Teens, Nicotine, and Tobacco (TNT) Online Survey found that 9.7% of adolescents aged 12–17 had used e-cigarettes within the past month.
Newark’s mayor expressed pride in the city’s progress and encouraged residents to keep raising their voices.
“That’s how democracy works in Newark, residents bring issues to our attention [..] and then from gathering input from the community, we’re able to put something together,” said Mayor Mike Hannon.
For more information about the ACTCC, visit tobaccofreealamedacounty.org.
