Rocklin Youth Services Officer funded by California Tobacco Tax

California’s Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016

Rocklin, CA- Kids in the Rocklin Unified School District will continue to benefit from the presence of a third Rocklin Police Department youth services officer for at least the next two fiscal years thanks to a new grant award of $454,540 from the California’s Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016.

Editor’s Note: Tobacco Tax Act of 2016: (Section 30130.55.) “Fifteen percent to the State Department of Education to be used for school programs to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine products by young people….” » Learn more

For the last two fiscal years, the City and RUSD have had a youth services officer working in tobacco prevention programs, funded by an existing Department of Justice grant.

Due to the program’s success, the City has been granted a second tobacco grant award.

“Protecting the safety of kids in our community takes on many forms and the funding provided by the California Department of Justice is vital to maintaining and growing police department relationships in local schools,” Rocklin Police Captain Trent Jewell said.

Education programs on tobacco use prevention

The Youth Services Unit will continue to engage students and parents, perform education programs on tobacco use prevention, as well as conduct retailer compliance checks, to combat the underage use, sale and purchase of tobacco products.

Voter approved tax

Approved by voters in 2016, the Tobacco Tax Act increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2 starting in April 2017. The initiative allocates a portion of annual revenue to the California Department of Justice. For Fiscal Year 2020-2021 a total of $28.5 million in grant funding was available statewide to support local enforcement efforts to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.