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Scores of Indian-American owners of convenience stores and gas stations gathered on the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento June 28 to protest and prevent SB 1400, a bill passed by the state Senate to limit sale of cigarettes only to smoke shops, from being passed by the state Assembly as well.
At the end of the rally the protesters claimed victory as the bill that was heard on the same day in the assembly failed to secure enough votes to pass.
The rally organized by the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association had spearheaded a stringent opposition to the bill authored by California state Senator Bob Wiecowski, a Democrat, and passed by the Senate June 2. Wiecowski had said his legislation was an attempt to keep tobacco out of the hands of children.
The organization stepped up protest since the beginning of last month saying that its passage would adversely impact the livelihood of thousands of Indian-American small store and gas station owners who sell cigarettes and other tobacco products.
If passed the bill would have limited sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products only to smoke shops.
More than 33,000 convenience stores and gas station marts operate throughout the state with estimated revenue of $40 billion a year. About two-thirds of such small stores and gas stations are owned by Indian-Americans and other Asian Americans.
The India West newspaper which reported the story July 6 quoted Jivtesh Gill, founding board member of the group, as saying that the bill would have put at least half of the convenience stores out of business and that store employees – largely newer immigrants – out of their jobs.
The organizers claimed some 800 people from Sacramento and other areas took part in the rally.
“It’s disappointing that Assembly support didn’t match public support to reduce the ubiquitous presence of tobacco retailers and thereby improve the health of Californians,” Wiecowski was quoted by the weekly as saying after the bill’s defeat in Assembly.
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