Looking to buy cigarettes? Soon you may not be able to do so at pharmacies in Richmond.

The city may soon become the second in California, after San Francisco, to make it illegal for pharmacies to sell tobacco products, Contra Costa County health officials said. A proposed ban could take effect as early as mid-January.

The Richmond City Council gave initial approval to the proposed ordinance this week, saying an unhealthful product shouldn't be sold in places that otherwise promote good health.

The proposal, which still requires a final reading, would cover any store licensed as a pharmacy by the state, identified as a drugstore by the state or the city, or known as a place that sells pharmaceuticals. The list includes independently owned and chain stores, but doesn't include supermarkets like Safeway or big-box retailers like Walmart — which sell many types of goods besides medicines.

Councilwoman Ludmyrna Lopez opposed the plan, saying it would not be effective because people could still buy cigarettes at stores that are not pharmacies. She added that four of the six stores the city staff identified as pharmacies do not sell cigarettes anyway.

Stores that do not comply with the Richmond ban could be asked to pay fines.

Walgreens is suing San Francisco over its ban, which took effect in 2008.

Katherine Tam covers Richmond. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/katherinetam.