Dear community member,
The COE has a longstanding commitment to educating students and families about the harms of tobacco use.
Through our Tobacco Use Prevention and Education Program and as a member of the County Tobacco Education Coalition, we partner to advocate for a tobacco-free community and environment. We do not do this work alone. Along with the many community partners, our students continue to be very vocal about this issue, from highlighting the environmental and health impacts of tobacco to advocating for change.
I want to congratulate the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for achieving a milestone in this work this week by approving a ban on the sale of filtered cigarettes in the unincorporated county. The ordinance will return to the supervisors for a second read before adoption, and will not take effect until 2027 to allow time for retailers and residents to adapt.
Cigarette butts, made from non-biodegradable plastics, are the most littered item in our community and pose serious environmental and health risks. They also provide no health benefit to the smoker. By banning these toxic filters, the County is addressing a longstanding environmental hazard that threatens wildlife, marine life, and community health.
It was a privilege to join students from schools including El Nido and Watsonville High in voicing support for this ban. I was especially proud to see a student from El Nido, an alternative education program operated by the Santa Cruz COE, quoted during Supervisor Cummings’ presentation.
Thank you to, students, for raising your voices, and to the Board of Supervisors for listening and leading on this impactful issue.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools