California

A law going into effect next year will create a list of unflavored tobacco products that are legal to sell in California. An unintended consequence of this law is that many cigars that aren’t unflavored—especially limited edition cigars and products from smaller companies—might no longer be sold in the state.

If passed, it would remove an exemption that allows for smoking in outdoor areas of bars. In addition, the new language would define “vaping” as “smoking,” greatly restricting where it will be legal to vape.

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The change isn’t drastic, saving customers a quarter or two per cigar. But it does move California down the list of states with the highest tobacco tax.

The bill would create a Reparation Fund that would give out housing loans and pay for education and training programs. In order to fund these programs, new taxes would be introduced on a wide range of products ranging from rice to gold, including tobacco.

The bill is sponsored by the state Attorney General and would give that official the power to fine those who sell unauthorized products.

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

Retailers in the county’s unincorporated areas would be prohibited from selling flavored tobacco products and would be required to institute a minimum price for all cigars.

The tax rate on premium cigars will decrease about 5 percentage points this summer.

Connolly’s original bill sought to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007.

Exactly 1,000 days after a lawsuit was first filed, R.J. Reynolds’ attempt to stop Los Angeles County’s ban on flavored tobacco sales has come to an end.