Check out Cali-based nicotine aficionados, as the Golden State has officially implemented a ban on most flavored tobacco products.
The ban was approved by voters earlier this year, although there are some exceptions
The move—known as Proposition 31—came into effect Wednesday and was approved by California voters in November. According to Ballotpedia, Proposition 31 passed with a high approval rating of 63%.
With this regulation, CBS Los Angeles reports that retailers must ditch flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. Flavored vapes and e-cigarettes are also gaining popularity and it is hoped that this will help curb nicotine addiction among teenagers and young adults.
For cannabis users who like to roll up, flavored cigars commonly used for blunt smoking will suffer.
However, we should point out that there are some exceptions to the rule. People can still buy flavored “premium” cigars and loose tobacco. Additionally, hookah lounges are exempt and can sell flavored tobacco for in-store use, as long as they only accept people 21 years of age or older.
Chocolate, cotton candy, waffles, menthol. Those are just some of the flavors of tobacco products that will be illegal in stores and vending machines in the Golden State tomorrow. @laist https://t.co/YYlHUfMc24
– Jackie Fortier (@JackieFortier) December 20, 2022
Twitter users tease the news: ‘We can’t have S**t’
Although 63% of voters supported the ban, those against it expressed their views clearly and online. Check out what some disgruntled Californians have to say below.
California when they ban flavored vapes next week pic.twitter.com/gNfDDnsT3A
– LUCA LUSH (@LUCALUSH) December 14, 2022
If you vote for a nicotine ban in california, I want you dead
– leona (@joemamaluvrr) December 18, 2022
California’s tobacco & vape ban is about to hit the edgeeee 😂😂🤣
– Resilience brinaaaa (@Fattiesmalls) December 18, 2022
the Dutch being included in the california ban is against the blacks, we can’t have a bad thing
— (@leighlasage) December 22, 2022
ok california… you want to ban vapes? guess i’m making more whips now
– east (@_eastonshane) December 21, 2022
Why didn’t anyone tell me the NICOTINE FLAVOR BANNED IS EFFECTIVE TODAY IN CALIFORNIA?!? 💫
– kendall (@kendall_myers) December 22, 2022
Where are similar bans enforced?
At this point, we must note that Cali is not the only place that bans the sale of flavored tobacco products.
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Children, California is the second state (so far) to do so and Massachusetts the first. However, other states such as New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have banned flavored e-cigarettes, although other tobacco products are not affected.
So while only California and Massachusetts have taken a stand against flavored nicotine, the other states haven’t gone too far.
What do you think of the ban, and how would you feel if your state followed suit?
