At its most recent meeting, the Solana Beach City Council unanimously passed the second reading of an ordinance that will ban the sale of flavored tobacco products within the city.
The ban will apply to traditional tobacco products as well as e-cigarettes and vaping products. The city defines a flavored tobacco product as something that has a characterizing flavor, aroma or both of those things, other than the taste or aroma of tobacco. It does not apply to FDA-approved products that are marketed for tobacco cessation or therapeutic uses.
The ban is scheduled to go into effect May 8. Retailers or other individuals who violate the ban will be charged with a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months imprisonment in the county jail for a combination of the two.
Solana Beach is home to just over 13,000 residents and located approximately 22 miles north of San Diego.
