Take Action

Introduce yourself to the people who represent you.

Lawmakers listen to businesses in their own district. You don't have to be political, and you're not asking for a favor. You're a local employer saying hello and explaining, plainly, how a well-meant rule is landing on your shop. That's it.

Step 1 · Find Your Representatives

Every California address has one Assembly Member and one State Senator. Find yours in about a minute:

Find my representatives

Enter your business address, note both names, then come back for what to say.

Step 2 · What to Say

Call the district office, or email. A short, local note does more than a long, polished one. Here's a script you can start from:

Hello, my name is [name]. I own [business] in [city], in your district. We employ [number] people.

I'm reaching out because of how California's Unflavored Tobacco List is affecting small businesses like mine. I support keeping flavored products away from kids. But the way the list works, a cigar has to be registered by its manufacturer before we can sell it, and a lot of small family makers haven't been able to. So cigars that are genuinely unflavored get treated as if they were flavored, and compliant shops like mine end up paying for it.

I'm not asking you to take a position today. I just wanted your office to know how this lands in your district, and I'd welcome the chance to stay in touch as technical fixes come up. Thank you for your time, and for your service.

The Ground Rules

Keep it brief. Keep it local — your shop, your people, your customers. Lead with support for the law's goal. Thank the staff; they run the office. Follow up once, politely.

Do Not

Don't be adversarial; staff remember tone. Don't guess at numbers — if you don't know, say so. Don't ask them to oppose anything. And don't name a specific bill; if they ask what would fix it, say 'a technical correction to how registration works' and offer to put them in touch with the Alliance.

Made contact? Let us know how it went. It helps us know which district offices have heard from a local member.