PRESS RELEASE

In an ongoing effort to protect youth and uphold public health regulations, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) Tobacco Enforcement Program collaborated with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to conduct targeted inspections in November 2025. These efforts resulted in significant enforcement actions against two local retailers for violations related to the illegal sale of tobacco and cannabis products.

At The Hut, a retail establishment in Davis operating under a suspended tobacco license, CDTFA enforcement officers seized tobacco products that were being sold illegally during the suspension period. Flavored tobacco products, which are prohibited under both state and local law, were also confiscated. In addition, officers found cannabis flower and other cannabis products being sold without a license. The estimated retail value of the seized products was $8,639. A criminal citation was issued following the inspection.

At Havana Mini Mart in Davis, CDTFA enforcement officers seized untaxed flavored tobacco products and untaxed flavored nicotine vape products with a combined estimated retail value of $8,523. A civil citation was issued for violations related to the sale of these illegal items.

“These inspections are part of our ongoing commitment to protect the health of Yolo County residents, especially our youth,” said Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Health Officer. “We are working diligently with our partners at CDTFA to ensure that retailers are not selling tobacco products to anyone under 21 and to make sure that prohibited products, such as flavored tobacco, are not available in our communities.”

Tobacco enforcement inspections are conducted regularly across all jurisdictions countywide to ensure compliance with local and state laws, including the prohibition of flavored tobacco products and laws preventing the sale of tobacco to individuals under 21.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, contributing to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and fruit-flavored vapes, are particularly concerning because they appeal to youth and can lead to early addiction. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, affects brain development in adolescents and can result in long-term dependence. By removing illegal flavored tobacco products from store shelves, Yolo County aims to reduce youth access and prevent the initiation of tobacco use, ultimately improving long-term community health outcomes.

For more information about tobacco enforcement efforts in Yolo County, please contact the Yolo County HHSA Tobacco Prevention Program at (530) 666-8616 or email TobaccoPrevention@YoloCounty.gov.