East San Jose is facing a significant public health concern due to the high density of smoke shops, which exceeds that of any other area in Santa Clara County. City Councilmember Peter Ortiz plans to propose a temporary moratorium on new smoke shop openings after a health assessment revealed startling statistics, including six tobacco retailers per square mile in East San Jose. Community leaders emphasize the need for proactive health assessments and policy adjustments to combat the high cancer rates among Latinos, who are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related illnesses.
Ortiz said companies are targeting the community. The Latino Health Assessment said in 2023, the density of tobacco retailers in East San Jose was six per square mile.
We need elected officials right who aren't just going to be rubber stamping and approving every single business. I've been in office for two and a half years and I've already denied two liquor stores from opening up in East Side San Jose; we have enough.
This is the work we should be doing. We should be assessing our health and our quality of life on a regular basis, and then making adjustments.
I'm a mother of a third grade 8-year-old in the neighborhood, we deserve the breathing room to reimagine East San Jose when we need to.
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