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Tobacco Grant Program FY 2026/27

Grantor:
Department of Justice (Office of the Attorney General)
Departmental Grant ID:
DOJ-PROP56-2026-27-1
Portal ID:
162837
Status:
Active
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
 | 
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) Tobacco Grant Program (TGP) supports local law enforcement efforts to reduce illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to youth and to enforce state tobacco products to youth and to enforce state tobacco control laws. Additional information about the program can be viewed at the DOJ Tobacco Grant Program webpage (https://oag.ca.gov/tobaccogrants)

Description:

DOJ’s Tobacco Grant Program application process is highly competitive. Under DOJ’s Proposition 56 funds, awards for Local Assistance will go to public agencies who can support and/or hire law enforcement to combat illegal tobacco and e-cigarette sales and marketing to minors. 

We highly encourage all applicants to register for the pre-application webinar to be held on May 5, 2026, 10:00-11:00 AM (Pacific) via Zoom. This webinar will provide prospective applicants with information regarding the program’s focus and priorities, funding available, application process, and will include time for questions. The recorded presentation will be uploaded to the Tobacco Grant Program webpage.

A. PRIORITY ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED

Priority activities include, but are not limited to:

• Enforcing state tobacco laws and local ordinances, including the statewide flavor ban (and similar local ordinances) through retailer inspections and enforcement operations (e.g. minor decoy, shoulder tap, undercover buys in stores and online)

• Consumer protection enforcement (investigations and prosecutions)

• Compliance checks and inspections of tobacco retailers and online vendors that deliver tobacco products

• Task force coordination among local agencies• Retailer education and diversion for retailers violating state tobacco laws

• Education for enforcement officers regarding enforcement of state tobacco laws and local ordinances

B. ACTIVITIES NOT CONSIDERED IN THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Activities that will NOT be considered within this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• School and community-based enforcement of tobacco possession and use, including School Resource Officers (SROs) and the purchase or use of vape detectors

• School and community-based education (including media campaigns)

• Other activities that are insufficiently related to reducing the illegal retail sales and/or marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Public Agency

Eligible entities with enforcement authority may include but are not limited to:

• Police departments

• Sheriff’s departments

• Code enforcement departments

• Environmental or public health departments

• City and district attorneys

• County counsel

• Cities and counties with enforcement authority

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
Fall 2026
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
24 or 36 months

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$28,500,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State

Funding Source Notes:

An estimated $28.5 million in grant funding is available this year to support local enforcement efforts to reduce illegal retail sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.

State funding comes from increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2.00 starting in April 2017. These increased taxes were passed following voter approved Proposition 56 in 2016 that allocates a portion of annual revenue to DOJ.

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

The Tobacco Grant Program is a reimbursement grant. DOJ will reimburse selected public agencies for approved expenditures upon receipt of invoices, quarterly progress reports, and other enforcement data required.

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
Karen Snyder, 1-916-210-6759, TobaccoGrantRFP@doj.ca.gov

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