Tobacco Stores and Vapes Shops are Non-Essential Businesses

Tobacco Stores and Vapes Shops are Non-Essential Businesses

On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20directing all California residents to stay at home unless they are designated as an “essential critical infrastructure worker,” along with an Essential Workforce documentoutlining which types of workers and businesses may remain open to the public during this time. Despite not being listed as an essential workplace on this document, many tobacco stores and vape shops around the state have remained open and continued to sell tobacco products. This has led to unequal enforcement of the Executive Order across the state. This Frequently Asked Questions document has been prepared to answer questions from businesses, local health departments, and local law enforcement agencies as to why tobacco stores and vape shops do not meet the criteria as essential businesses, and, therefore, should not remain open.