Tobacco Grant Program (original) (raw)
About
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 $184.7 million in grant funding through a competitive process.
Apply for Funding
DEADLINE TO APPLY
The grant opportunity will be open for submissions on April 29, 2024 and submissions must be received by11:59 PM (Pacific) on June 28, 2024.
PRE-APPLICATION WEBINAR
The pre-application webinar for the 2024-25 grant cycle was held on May 9, 2024. We encourage all applicants to view this presentation in order to facilitate understanding of the grant opportunity. A copy of the slide deck is also available for review.
KEY DOCUMENTS
To facilitate understanding of the Tobacco Grant Program and complete your application, please review the following documents:
- Tobacco Grant Factsheet, pdf
- Request for Proposals, pdf
- Grant Handbook, pdf
- Budget Detail Sheet, xlsx
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Any local public agency within the State of California that has authority to enforce tobacco-related state laws or local ordinances related to retail tobacco sales and marketing is eligible to apply. This may include police and sheriffs’ departments, district and city attorneys and county counsels, public health departments, cities, counties, and public school/college districts.
Grantees may use grant funds for activities including, but not limited to:
- Enforcement of flavor ban laws/ordinances
- Retailer compliance and licensing checks
- Consumer protection investigation and enforcement actions
- Illegal online sales and marketing, including use of door-to-door delivery services
- Development of task forces (regional working groups) for enforcement operations
- Retailer training and diversion programs
FUNDING
An estimated $28.5 million in grant funding is available this year to support local enforcement efforts to reduce illegal retail sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.
The Tobacco Grant Program is a reimbursement grant. DOJ will reimburse selected public agencies, in arrears, for approved expenditures upon receipt of invoices, quarterly progress reports, and other enforcement data required.
PROJECT PERIOD
Selected public agencies will be funded for 24 or 36 months. Projects are expected to begin on or about November 1, 2024 and must terminate on or before June 30, 2028.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using DOJ’s online web-based application form and submitted with all required attachments.
PROPOSAL COMPONENTS
A grant application requires submission of the following major components:
- Completed proposal (online web form)
- Completed budget detail (MS Excel)
- Letter(s) of commitment (required if partnering or contracting with another agency to complete a portion of the grant objectives)
Funding Priorities
DOJ’s Tobacco Grant Program application process is highly competitive. In accordance with Proposition 56, funds will be awarded to applicants demonstrating strong capacity to support and/or hire enforcement officers for activities specifically aimed at reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.
PRIORITY ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED
Priority activities include, but are not limited to:
- Enforcing state tobacco laws and local ordinances, including the statewide flavor ban (and similar local ordinances) through retailer inspections and enforcement operations (e.g. minor decoy, shoulder tap, undercover buys in stores and online)
- Consumer protection enforcement (investigations and prosecution)
- Compliance checks and inspections of tobacco retailers and online services that deliver tobacco products
- Task force coordination among local agencies
- Retailer education and diversion for retailers violating state tobacco laws
- Education for enforcement officers regarding state tobacco laws and local ordinances
ACTIVITIES NOT CONSIDERED IN THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Activities that will NOT be considered within this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to:
- School and community-based enforcement of tobacco possession and use, including School Resource Officers and purchase/use of vape detectors
- School and community-based education (including media campaigns)
- Other activities insufficiently related to reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth
Application and Award Timelines
Application Timeline
Milestone | Date |
---|---|
Release of Request for Proposals | April 29, 2024 |
Pre-Application Webinar | May 9, 2024 |
Deadline to Submit Proposal | June 28, 2024 |
Award Timeline
Milestone | Approximate Date |
---|---|
Award Selection | October-November 2024 |
Earliest Project Start | November 2024 |
Grant Opening Documents Due | End of January 2024 |
More Information
QUESTIONS
Email TobaccoGrantRFP@doj.ca.gov with any questions regarding the application process.