For Immediate Release: Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act

In 2020, the Town of Paradise adopted the State of California’s ban on flavored tobacco sales into its municipal code. Two years later, in 2022, the Town incorporated the State’s newly enacted prohibition on flavored nicotine products.
By November 2025, a noticeable increase in flavored vape use among individuals under 18, coupled with rising complaints of illegal sales within Paradise, prompted action. The Paradise Police Department and the Town’s Code Enforcement Division partnered to launch a combined education and enforcement initiative aimed at both underage individuals and local tobacco retailers. The effort focused on reinforcing compliance with State and Town regulations and addressing violations involving the sale of flavored nicotine products. This collaborative team included Paradise Police School Resource Officer Kevin Tuck and Senior Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Roy Wallis.
In late December 2025, Officer Tuck and Officer Wallis visited all 16 tobacco retailers in Paradise to provide educational materials and reinforce compliance. Each retailer received a comprehensive packet that included:
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Documentation of State and Town regulations regarding the sale of flavored nicotine products
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A booklet outlining California Tobacco Control Laws affecting retail businesses
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Required decals and point-of-sale postings
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A formal notice from the Paradise Police Department and Code Enforcement Division detailing municipal codes related to the ban on flavored nicotine sales and advising of upcoming compliance inspections
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Retailers found to be in violation of these regulations were informed of their specific infractions and counseled on potential follow-up inspections by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Butte County Public Health, and the Town’s Tobacco Education & Enforcement Team.
Following these visits, the Town observed a significant increase in retailer awareness and compliance with flavored nicotine regulations. Several businesses immediately corrected violations identified during the initial outreach, and the majority expressed appreciation for the educational approach. The initiative reinforced the Town’s commitment to protecting youth from harmful products while supporting local retailers in meeting legal requirements.
“Protecting our youth and ensuring compliance with state and local laws is a shared responsibility,” said Senior Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Roy Wallis. “By combining education with enforcement, we’re helping retailers understand the regulations and preventing flavored nicotine products from reaching underage individuals.”