You can also find more information on menthol, flavored tobacco, and restrictions on product availability on our website. Starting January 1, it will be illegal to sell most flavored tobacco products in California. However, countering this industry narrative is key –  the language of this bill clearly states that purchase, use, or possession of flavored or mentholated tobacco products would not be criminalized. If the referendum qualifies for the ballot, the bill would be suspended until the next qualifying general election, which will take place in November 2022. The largest tobacco manufacturers are suing California to prevent its broad tobacco flavor ban. Exempt from the bill are flavored hookah tobacco (also called shisha), “premium” cigars, loose leaf/pipe tobacco, and marijuana. Senate Bill 793 was signed into law last Friday, banning the sale of flavored tobacco products in California. California is banning flavored tobacco products and expanding what is considered necessary treatment for health insurance coverage. The state is banning flavored tobacco products and expanding what is considered necessary treatment for health insurance coverage. Get the ABC10 mobile app for breaking news alerts, live shows and to send us news tips. Proponents of the veto referendum seek to place Senate Bill 793 (SB 793), which was signed into law on August 28, 2020, on the ballot for a popular vote. The industry has been aggressive in falsely claiming that this menthol ban would further increase the criminalization of already marginalized and over policed groups. Hill said teens using flavored products to mask the harshness of tobacco smoke become life-long smokers. This is an important finding that, if duplicated around the state, could prevent the tobacco companies from forcing a referendum on the California’s ban on almost all flavored tobacco products that the governor signed into law last summer. It seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against the California law that, beginning Jan. 1, 2021, bans the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco and vapor products, except premium cigars, shisha tobacco and loose leaf tobacco. Unsolved California: Join Madison Wade on LNT each Friday night at 11 p.m. as she takes a closer look at a cold case. They have used this tactic to seed opposition to other flavor sales restrictions in the past (learn more here). Smokers and Vapers May Be at Greater Risk for Covid-19 . Upload your weather photos on the ABC10 app. The legislation does not make it illegal for someone to purchase, possess or use flavored tobacco or vapor products. Menthol provides a cooling sensation that makes it to easier to start smoking and become nicotine dependent and more difficult to quit smoking. According to an argument provided in the senate analysis, tobacco companies claim they make flavored tobacco products to give adult smokers variety, but flavored products play a role in introducing children to smoking. While this referendum represents an attack against the bill, it certainly does not signify a definite end to SB 793. The flavor ban impacts flavored vapor, e-cigarette, shisha, loose leaf tobacco in addition to menthol cigarettes. Set to take effect in January 2021, the ban would prohibit the sale of all flavored products that contain nicotine, including flavored vaping products and menthol cigarettes. The largest tobacco manufacturers are suing California to prevent its broad tobacco flavor ban. When, or if it takes effect remains to be seen. 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