CIOMA Helps to Defeat Tobacco Coupon Ban, AB 709

On Monday, the Senate Business and Professions Committee voted 2-6-1 against a bill that would have significantly hurt convenience stores in the state. CIOMA was successful in helping to lead the charge against this bad bill, while a powerful testimony from Tom Robinson of Rotten Robbie sealed its fate in the committee. 

Senators Hill and Pan voted in favor of the bill, Senators Dodd, Fuller, Galgiani, Glazer, Newman and Wilk voted against, while Senator Hernandez refrained from casting a vote. Despite their oppositions to tobacco, Senator Dodd saw this as pure government overreach on how businesses communicate with customers, Senator Glazer opposed how 709 crosses the into the business-customer relationship, and Senator Newman voiced his concerns over the black market which is perpetuated by bills like this. 

CIOMA will proudly continue to serve and the preeminent voice and champion of convenience stores across the State of California.