Menlo Park, Calif. Moving Forward With Flavored Tobacco Ban, E-Cigarette Ban

Menlo Park, Calif. is likely to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and all e-cigarettes at retailers in the city.

Earlier this week, the Menlo Park City Council unanimously approved the first reading of the new ordinance and a final vote is expected at the City Council’s Dec. 17 meeting.

The ban would cover not just flavored tobacco products, but also all e-cigarettes and vaping products regardless of whether or not the product has characterizing flavors.

Any retailer caught in violation of the new law would be subject to the city’s current fines for tobacco violations:

• First Violation — Up to $100
• Second Violation — Up to $200
• Third & Subsequent Violation — Up to $500

The new law would take effect 30 days after it is approved.

Menlo Park is located 25 miles south of San Francisco. It is home to roughly 30,000 residents and the headquarters of tech giants Facebook and Google.