> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ashes to ashes, butts to bust: Market targeted
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/ashes-to-ashes-butts-to-bust-market-targeted/
- Published: 2004-06-17T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:32:59.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

rate exceeded that at other supermarkets, such as Ralphs or Albertsons.

Nearly 20 members of the local and national media gathered in front of the Vons at Lincoln Boulevard and Broadway for the early afternoon press conference. Safeway, Inc. owns Vons, Pavilions and Pak N’ Save stores.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks to force Safeway stores to curb tobacco sales and seeks civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation. It claims Safeway repeatedly sells to minors, doesn’t check IDs, and has failed to post tobacco permits and warnings against underage sales.

“Anyone who sells or gives tobacco to teenagers under 18 is committing a crime,” said Delgadillo, adding he will target small retailers next. Delgadillo said he may pull sales permits from offenders — and even seek jail time.

After reiterating that tobacco is the number-one cause of avoidable deaths, Fielding said one third of addicted smokers will die prematurely, from illnesses like heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema. An estimated 11,000 Los Angelinos die from tobacco each year, and 44,000 in California.

Too many of those start smoking as children, officials said.

“We’re concerned about their future,” said Fielding, who suggested the age for tobacco sales be raised to 21\. “We’re here to protect the future of our kids.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 17, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/061704.pdf?ref=smdp.com)