SF pharmacy tobacco ban up for vote

SAN FRANCISCO A San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee sent a proposed amendment to the city’s health code that would ban tobacco sales at pharmacies to the full board Thursday for a vote.

After the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee heard testimony from city government officials, industry representatives, anti-tobacco activists and pharmacy workers, Supervisor Carmen Chu, who chairs the committee, allowed it to go forward.

Proponents of the amendment say that pharmacies send a mixed message by selling cigarettes and medicines. Opponents call the proposed ban unfair because it exempts supermarkets and big-box stores that operate pharmacies.

The Board of Supervisors, the legislative body for the consolidated city and county of San Francisco, will vote on the amendment Tuesday.