Exclusive | NorCal business owners fear nicotine ban will devastate shops: Were taking a massive hit

A wealthy Northern California town is moving to pull the plug on all tobacco and nicotine sales — with local business owners fearing the move could force them to close their doors for good.The Corte Madera Town Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would prohibit businesses from selling, distributing or delivering tobacco and nicotine products anywhere in the Marin County community.The proposed ban covers everything from cigarettes and cigars to chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products and popular nicotine pouches such as Zyn.Some local retailers said their businesses might not survive without the revenue generated through sales of such an extensive list of products.“If things are going like that, maybe we have to close the business,” Jose, 47, manager of Colonial Liquors in Corte Madera, told The California Post, noting that tobacco products account for roughly 40% of the store’s sales.Jose, who’s been working at the store for 25 years, also warned that the ban could force the business to slash employee hours.He added that patrons who come in to buy tobacco or nicotine products will simply head to shops just outside the town to stock up.“If we don’t have cigarettes, people are gonna take the car and drive somewhere else,” Jose said.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story He questioned why Corte Madera should bear the economic consequences when neighboring communities continue to allow tobacco sales.“I understand if it’s the whole county or the whole of California, but it’s only Corte Madera,” Jose said.“They can go just two blocks and buy it somewhere else.

That really affects the business.”Other local retailers also told the Post that the ban could take a serious bite out of their bott...