State of California—Health and Human Services Agency we We California Department of Public Health e) CBPH KAREN L swTH, MO, MPH EDMUND 6, BROWN JR. Director and Stat Pub Heath Ofer Govemer To Whom It May Concern: | am writing to confirm that Mr. John Cortez has volunteered with the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch in assisting our Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Unit with enforcement of the STAKE Act. The STAKE Unit strives to be a leader in youth tobacco enforcement in California. As a public health and law enforcement agency, it is the mission of the STAKE Unit to reduce illegal sales of tobacco products to minors through effective enforcement of state and federal laws. Reduction of illegal tobacco sales to minors will improve the health of California citizens by limiting exposure of the health hazards of tobacco to minors, In order for STAKE Unit to implement its mission, we must partner with minors who are committed to helping make a change in their communities and improve public health. Mr. John Cortez volunteered to pose as an undercover youth decoy to try to determine if retail establishments are selling tobacco products to minors. These volunteers are an essential tool in our investigations of retail establishments that are selling tobacco products to minors. We look to work with individuals who are in good standing with their school, have good communication and math skills, and individuals who are mature, confident and respectful. Mr. John Cortez conducted himself during our operations with such qualities. Please let me know if | can be of any further assistance. Respectfully, co Benson J. Yee, Chief Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Unit Food and Drug Branch (916) 650-6500 Benson.Yee@cdph.ca.gov Food & Drug Branch, STAKE Unit, MS 7602 + P.O. Box 937435 « Sacramento, CA 95899-7435, (916) 650-6500 « (916) 650-6650 FAX Internet Address: swww.cdph.ca.gov