The San Diego City Council Monday voted 7-2 in favor of a ban on flavored e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes.
The ban was opposed by owners of dozens of small neighborhood markets that sell flavored tobacco and vaping products, saying it is unfair and hurts businesses.
Supporters say the ban will counter what they say is the tobacco industry’s strategy of using flavored tobacco to reverse decades of progress in reducing youth usage. Flavored tobacco often is packaged with cartoon characters and the word “candy.”
The City Council delayed the enforcement date to January `1, 2023 because Californians will vote on a possible statewide ban of flavored tobacco and menthol cigarettes this November.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images