Flavored Tobacco

While Columbus’ existing flavored tobacco ban will no longer be enforceable as of April 24, the fight over the law may not be done.

In a win for tobacco stores and consumers, local cities and counties will not be able to introduce their own laws stricter than state law. This bill was created in direct response to the city of Columbus banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, a ban that is no longer legal.

Attorneys general from 18 states, two U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have sent the Biden administration a letter urging the White House to quickly act on banning the sales of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

The bill could result in neighboring counties having vastly different policies as to tobacco sales.

The highest court in the land will allow California’s ban to stand.

The ban was set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024; now it is on hold while an appeals court considers its legality.

Local laws remain in effect for now, but could soon be nullified by a preemption clause.

Maine has become a hotbed of flavored tobacco sales bans, with six towns and cities passing regulations in recent years.

The new timeline suggest the final rules could be announced in March 2024, but it’s unclear whether that will happen.

If passed, the new bill would ban the sale of all flavored cigars in Michigan.

Earlier this week, the two groups met with government officials regarding the upcoming flavored cigar ban.