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27762 Antonio Pkwy Suite L1-463 <br /> Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 <br /> ocrtcc www.ochcc.org <br /> ORANGE COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE T: (714) 953-4289 <br /> December 17, 2021 <br /> Dear Mayor Sarmiento and members of the City Council, <br /> The Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has proudly represented businesses in <br /> Orange County ranging from small neighborhood shops to large corporations for over 35 years. <br /> We are writing to you today to urge you to continue the hearing on the ban of the sale of flavored <br /> tobacco products to a later date, and oppose the ordinance when it comes before you. <br /> The minority owned business community is integral to the everyday life of the people of Santa <br /> Ana. Small businesses have been on the front lines of the Pandemic since its inception, and are <br /> still struggling to recover from the financial burdens they have been faced with as a result. A <br /> flavored tobacco ban is an overreaching and irresponsible prohibition on a legal product that is <br /> sold by 89 responsible retailers in Santa Ana. Youth usage of cigarettes and flavored tobacco <br /> products is at a generational low due to these responsible retailers abiding by the law and only <br /> selling to consumers age 21 or older. This ban would inevitably contribute to these hard-working <br /> retailers going out of business. <br /> We care deeply about Santa Ana and our members that contribute to Santa Ana's business <br /> community. We feel that we have not been given enough time to properly review this ordinance <br /> and communicate with our members to prepare them for its negative repercussions. With that in <br /> mind, we respectfully ask that you continue this ordinance to a later date. <br /> We at the OCHCC thank you for your consideration of our collective concerns. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Reuben Franco <br /> President& CEO <br /> Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce <br />