Sales of flavored tobaccos and vape juices banned in California

Blue Raz Cotton Candy, Peach Green Tea, Pink Spot and Frozen Lime Drop are just a few of the names of flavored tobacco that will no longer be allowed on the shelves in California after Governor Newsom signed SB793 Friday. The bill was created to stop kids from getting addicted to tobacco and vaping and is an addition to existing law, the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act.

The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

The ban includes the sale of everything from menthol cigarettes to e-cigarette flavors, including pods for vape pens, tank-based systems, and chewing tobacco.

Vape pens and supplies have been a problem in schools in South Lake Tahoe for several years with a growing number of students using them on campus. School officials confiscated the products daily.

Tobacco companies fought the bill and waged a strong campaign to prevent its passage, first saying the bill was discriminatory since menthol sales are high among the Latino and Black community across country. They also stated the bill was unfair as premium cigars and hookah tobaccos were left alone and not included in the Bill. The "Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association" urged Newsom to send the bill back to the legislature for revision.

During his news conference Friday, the Governor brought up the bill. He said he had
“absolute condemnation of this tobacco industry that continues to find ways to target our youth. It will be a point of deep pride and personal privilege as a father of four and as someone who’s had many, many family members die at the hands of the tobacco industry to sign that bill.”

It will now be a $250 fine for each violation of this bill.

Sixty cities and counties already have some type of bank on e-cigarettes and vaping supplies. San Francisco previously banned e-cigarette sales, not just the tobacco. Counties and cities can also create stricter ordinances on top of what SB793 details.