West Hollywood, Calif. Bans Flavored Tobacco Products

Effective Sept. 15, the sale of flavored tobacco products will no longer be allowed in West Hollywood, Calif.

Yesterday, the West Hollywood City Council voted 5-0 to enact a new law that bans the sale of flavored tobacco products as well as the use of coupons for tobacco products. This was the ordinance’s second reading, it passed via a 4-1 vote earlier this month.

The ban on coupons—which also bans the practice of giving a consumer a free item with purchase—goes into effect March 18. The ban on flavored tobacco products won’t take effect until Sept. 15.

Last year, a bill was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom that banned almost all flavored tobacco products in California. That law is subject to a ballot referendum and is currently not enforced. It will be considered by voters next November. If passed, the law will go into effect in December 2022. The law is also subject to a variety of lawsuits.

Unlike the state law—which would allow for the sale of flavored premium cigars so long as they cost at least $12 wholesale—the West Hollywood ban has no premium cigar carve-outs.

The one exception from the ban on flavored tobacco products is for hookah and shisha tobacco, which will remain legal.

West Hollywood is located in Los Angeles proper, just south of Laurel Canyon. It has a population around 45,000.