2019-2025: Jim Desmond Was Absent For A Vote On Accepting More Than $2.4 Million In Funds To Prevent The Illegal Sale Of Tobacco To Minors And Voted Against Banning Electronic Smoking Devices And Vaping Product Sales

2025: Desmond Was Absent For A Vote On Accepting More Than $2.4 Million From The California Tobacco Grant Program, Which Helped Local Law Enforcement Prevent Illegal Sales And Protect Minors

2025: Desmond Was Absent For A Vote On Accepting More Than $2.4 Million In Grant Funds For The Tobacco Grant Program. “l. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, which requires prior approval of grant applications and full cost recovery of grants. 2. Authorize the acceptance of $2,402,082 in grant funds from the California Department of Justice for the period of July l, 2025 through June 30, 2028, for the Tobacco Grant Program and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, to execute all required grant documents, upon receipt, including any annual extensions, amendments, or revisions that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding level. 3. Adopt a resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorizing acceptance of a grant from the state of California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program under Proposition 56, the Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. 4. Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, or designee to apply for additional funding opportunity announcements, if available. […] ACTION: ON MOTION of Supervisor Anderson, seconded by Supervisor Montgomery Steppe, the Board of Supervisors took action as recommended, on Consent, and adopted Resolution No. 25-018, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM UNDER PROPOSITION 56, THE HEALTHCARE, RESEARCH AND PREVENTION TOBACCO TAX ACT OF 2016. AYES: Anderson, Lawson-Remer, Montgomery Steppe ABSENT: Desmond; (District l Seat Vacant).” [San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Meeting Minutes, 4/22/25]

California’s Tobacco Grant Program Made Funds Available Annually To Local Law Enforcement Agencies To Reduce Illegal Retail Sales And Marketing Of Cigarettes And Tobacco Products To Minors. “The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56) funding helps promote a healthier California by reducing illegal retail sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, makes these annual funds available to local law enforcement agencies throughout California. Since its inception in 2017, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $240 million in grant funding through a competitive process.” [California Attorney General, Tobacco Grant Program accessed 5/15/26]

2020: Desmond Voted Against A Moratorium On Electronic Smoking Devices, Calling It “A Strong Overreach Of Government”

2020: Desmond Voted Against A One-Year Moratorium On Electronic Smoking Devices And A Prohibition On Smoking Or Vaping In Outdoor Dining Areas. “Nicotine is on notice in San Diego County. The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 for a one-year moratorium on electronic smoking devices, a prohibition on flavored vaping liquid and a prohibition on smoking or vaping in outdoor dining areas. […] Supervisors Kristin Gaspar and Jim Desmond, who both voted against the vaping bans, said they were simply unconvinced that the raft of local legislation would do much of anything to keep kids from vaping nicotine products, which are easily purchased online.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/14/20]

• The Moratorium Passed By A Vote Of 3-2. “Nicotine is on notice in San Diego County. The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 for a one-year moratorium on electronic smoking devices, a prohibition on flavored vaping liquid and a prohibition on smoking or vaping in outdoor dining areas.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/14/20]

Desmond Called San Diego County’s Moratorium On Electronic Smoking Devices “A Strong Overreach Of Government.” “Nicotine is on notice in San Diego County. The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 for a one-year moratorium on electronic smoking devices, a prohibition on flavored vaping liquid and a prohibition on smoking or vaping in outdoor dining areas. […] ‘I feel this is a strong overreach of government,’ Desmond said. ‘The County of San Diego should step up enforcement of the laws that are already in place, which are that no one under 21 should have access to these products. If every one of these vape shops in the unincorporated areas were to shut down, it wouldn’t make a dent in the kids having access to these products.’” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/14/20]

2019: Desmond Voted Against Banning Vaping Product Sales In San Diego County’s Unincorporated Areas

2019: Desmond Voted Against Banning Vaping Product Sales In San Diego County’s Unincorporated Areas. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 to ban vaping product sales in unincorporated areas. The measure puts a one-year moratorium on the sale of vaping devices and permanently bars flavored nicotine. […] The board's decision came after a lengthy and sometimes emotional public hearing. Supervisors Greg Cox, Nathan Fletcher and Dianne Jacob voted in favor of the ban, while their colleagues Jim Desmond and Kristin Gaspar opposed.” [KPBS, 10/15/19]

Desmond Said Banning Vaping Products Would Encourage Black Market Purchases. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 to ban vaping product sales in unincorporated areas. The measure puts a one-year moratorium on the sale of vaping devices and permanently bars flavored nicotine. […] Desmond, who cast the other no vote, said a ban would encourage black market purchases, which has been linked to the lung illness outbreak. He favors better enforcement of existing laws against sales to minors over adding regulations that ‘burden law-abiding businesses.’ Supervisor Greg Cox said he agreed with Gaspar and Desmond's comments but supported the ban because the public health crisis required action.” [KPBS, 10/15/19]

• Desmond Said He Favored Better Enforcement Of Existing Laws Against Selling To Minors. “Desmond, who cast the other no vote, said a ban would encourage black market purchases, which has been linked to the lung illness outbreak. He favors better enforcement of existing laws against sales to minors over adding regulations that ‘burden law-abiding businesses.’ Supervisor Greg Cox said he agreed with Gaspar and Desmond's comments but supported the ban because the public health crisis required action.” [KPBS, 10/15/19]