Flavored Tobacco Products

The second attempt to ban flavored tobacco products in the past two years once again fell short.

The ban goes into the effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

This is the second time this year that Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed language passed by the Ohio General Assembly that would have prevented cities from introducing stricter laws regarding tobacco.

The Vermont General Assembly has adjourned for the year. While the Senate approved a ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products, it did not clear the Vermont House of Representatives.

The proposed language would block FDA from enacting three of its top anti-tobacco proposals.

The letter asks for an update about when FDA plans to announce a final rule and how the agency plans to address the strategy cigarette companies have taken to get around menthol bans introduced in California and Massachusetts.

The bill now moves onto the Vermont House of Representatives. Like most bills proposed in other states, it would only punish the sales of these products by retailers and not the possession or consumption of a flavored product by a consumer.

While the outright ban on sales of flavored tobacco and vaping products will not pass, another bill would allow for counties to enact stricter tobacco and vaping regulations remains alive.

The town of just over 5,000 residents becomes the fifth city in Maine to pass such a ban.

The bill would ban all flavored tobacco and vaping products, with no exceptions. Interestingly, it would also make it illegal to gift someone in Texas a flavored cigar.

Given previous statements from FDA, if the agency follows through with this timeline, flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes could be illegal by the end of 2024. That would assume no lawsuits challenging the proposed regulations, an almost certainty.