Portland, Maine Passes Flavored Tobacco Ban
On Monday, the Portland City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance that will ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including ones with menthol, as of June 1.
The ban was expected to pass, but that did not stop numerous individuals, businesses and trade organizations from asking to the council to oppose the ban. Several media outlets reported that the public comment period went for more than two hours, and the council’s agenda packet contained dozens of emails and letters both in support and in opposition to the ban.
The start date of Portland’s ban is set to coincide with that of a similar ban enacted by the Bangor City Council in October 2021, meaning it will be illegal to sell flavored tobacco in two of the state’s three most populous cities. Once Portland’s ban goes into effect, retailers who sell banned products will face a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, while repeat violations within a 24-month period can top out at $1,000. The ban does not contain any exemptions for premium cigars, hookah, or other forms of tobacco that have received exemptions in other municipalities.
The Maine Legislature is also considering a bill that would ban flavored tobacco products throughout the state.
Portland is home to approximately 66,600 residents.
Patrick Lagreid
I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.
Related Posts
-
October 26, 2021 -
June 21, 2016
