In response to a voter approved measure in 2022 to uphold the state law prohibiting a tobacco retailer from selling most flavored tobacco products including flavored e-cigarettes, the Ceres City Council acted last week to approve an ordinance mirroring state law.

Recently Ceres Police, along with a state task force, completed compliance visits the seven tobacco retailers in Ceres and found multiple violations ranging from selling brass knuckles and other weapons, illegal gambling machines and flavored tobacco.

The new ordinance will allow Ceres Police to enforce the law, said Chief of Police Trenton Johnson.

Under the proposed ordinance: the issuance of new business licenses, building permits, conditional use permits, or other land use approvals for a tobacco retailer business must comply with the ordinance’s provisions. All new and existing tobacco retailer businesses will be required to adhere to the ordinance.

Chief Johnson said Ceres police will continue inspecting current smoke shops to evaluate their compliance.

The ordinance will also allow the city to keep any fines paid by violating smoke shops rather than the money going to the state, the chief said.

“This gives us the administrative power to go in to these shops for compliance checks that is regulated by the city standards, not so much the state,” he noted.

Johnson also noted that the ordinance will likely lead to grants like the three-year $80,000 grant for enforcement.

Mayor Javier Lopez suggested adding a requirement for security at smoke shops like Modesto is considering, saying he’s heard rumors that some smoke shops are illegally selling marijuana.

Councilwoman Cerina Otero wondered if a limit could be placed on smoke shops, saying for a small town seven seems like too many.

Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez motioned to continue the public hearing on the ordinance to the Aug. 28 council meeting, adding a requirement for a security guard and limiting the number of smoke shops in Ceres.