Sacramento Bans Sale Of Flavored Tobacco Products

Sacramento is the latest California location to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, with the passage of a new ordinance by the City Council on Tuesday.

Starting Jan. 1, it will be illegal to sell flavored tobacco products within city limits. The local-level action precedes efforts by four Democratic senators for a statewide ban.

Jim Knox with the American Cancer Society says his organization supports banning the products statewide.

"The surge in the use of e-cigarettes has all but erased decades of progress in reducing tobacco use among teens,” he said. “The CDC is calling this a public health epidemic and it really requires immediate action."

Ryan Hanretty with California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, representing small retail outlets that sell flavored tobacco products, says a ban based on geography doesn't work in today's modern world.

"The internet is kind of the sole-source problem for the proliferation and access without age verification of these e-cigarettes and vape products,” he said.

The bill for a statewide ban has already passed the Senate Health Committee and is scheduled to be heard by the Appropriations Committee on Monday.