As a co-owner of a small business in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, I’m proud of the role my family’s store plays in the community. We employ nine people, support local charities, and contribute significantly to the local economy through taxes and donations. Our store, like many others, provides essential services such as groceries. We also sell filtered cigarettes, which make up almost 30% of our revenue. However, the county Board of Supervisors plan to ban the sale of all filtered cigarettes in unincorporated areas is putting our livelihoods at risk.

The Board of Supervisors claims this ban is aimed at reducing environmental cleanup costs, citing a $2 million annual bill for removing cigarette filters from beaches. However, this ban won’t solve the litter problem. Residents will still purchase these products in nearby areas, and cigarette litter will continue. Instead, the ordinance will hurt small businesses like ours and disrupt the local economy by eliminating a key source of revenue for retailers.

We understand the need to cut costs and reduce waste, but banning filtered cigarettes is not the solution. Instead, the county should focus on proper disposal strategies, such as installing more receptacles and increasing fines for littering. Why not use part of that $2 million to educate the public and enforce existing laws? There are better ways to address the issue without harming small businesses.

As second-generation business owners, we know the challenges small retailers face. Our father, an immigrant, saved enough to buy a truck and eventually a small store in 1983. I grew up working there and earned an engineering degree but chose to follow in my father’s footsteps. Two years ago, when this store came up for sale, my sister, brother-in-law and I bought it, believing in our community’s potential. But today, we’re struggling more than ever. We’re dealing with rising licensing and tobacco fees, and now we’re facing the possibility of losing a significant revenue stream due to this ban.

Running a high-volume store like ours requires a lot of manpower, and we’re proud to pay our employees well. But many of them can barely afford to live in this county, even while working full-time. They’re not alone — the local economy is fragile, and many small businesses are barely staying afloat. If this ban passes, it will make things worse. Nearby mom-and-pop supermarkets will also be affected, losing not just tobacco sales but the revenue from other products smokers typically purchase.

It’s more than just about revenue. Our store, like others, is deeply invested in this community. We support local museums, schools, and charities like the Boulder Creek Business Association. When the county faces hard times, we step up to help. Now, we’re the ones in need.

The Board of Supervisors seems to think banning filtered cigarettes will save the environment and cut costs. But without tobacco sales, we can’t generate the employer, employee, and sales taxes that help fund the very programs and services the county relies on. They’re not just harming businesses — they’re undermining a vital revenue stream for the county itself.

We’ve proposed alternative solutions. If cigarette litter is the problem, let’s focus on proper disposal. Let’s invest in more receptacles and educate the public. If the county needs more revenue, why not consider increasing the sales tax on certain products instead of banning them outright?

Santa Cruz County doesn’t have major industries or large employers to rely on. We depend on tourism and local businesses. This ordinance won’t stop people from smoking or littering. It will only push them to buy their cigarettes elsewhere, leaving businesses like ours to struggle.

I urge the cities of Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Capitola to reject the county’s ban and think about the long-term impact on small businesses, the local economy, and the community we all serve. This proposal will not solve the problems the county is claiming.

Manraj Bhangu owns Boulder Creek Liquor with his sister, Jasleen Pabla, and her husband, Harvey Pabla.