California’s SB 1400, which sought to take tobacco completely out of grocery stores, convenience stores and other general merchants met its demise in the state Assembly on Tuesday, failing to get a motion to vote on it in the Committee on Business and Professions. The bill won the support of the state Senate earlier this month, passing by a 21-16 vote on June 2. It was sponsored by State Sen. Bob Wieckowksi (D-10) and wanted to change the definition of which types of stores are able to apply for retail tobacco sales permits, making it a requirement that they generate at least 60 percent of gross revenue from tobacco products in order to be able to sell them. That would move tobacco almost exclusively to cigar shops. The Cigar Association of America called Tuesday’s proceedings “a major victory for our industry,” adding that the organization worked closely with its California-based partners to defeat the measure.
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