California Flavor Ban Final Hearing is August 18th

On August 18th the Health Committee of the California Assembly will hold their final hearing about SB 793. This bill is intended to ban all tobacco products including e-liquids and other flavored vaping products

The bill passed the Senate in June during a remote assembly. The purpose of this bill is aimed to stop the youth from gaining access to vaping and tobacco items. The bill doesn't mention the stop of sales online, however there is a vape mail ban taking action. California is in progress to pass a law that is set to place restrictions on vaping mail orders and require an adult signature. 

The SB 793 is like many other flavor ban laws, it is aiming to ban characterized flavors and flavor enhancers. That term is referenced meaning nicotine-free vape juice or flavor shots, not an actual flavoring ban that uses DIY e-liquids. 

There is also a widespread resistance to the menthol cigarette ban that is viewed to lead to unnecessary interactions between the black community and the police or law enforcement. Even though the bill points to the possession or smoking of menthol cigarettes, it is not an act of crime. The development to provide these menthol e-cigs in black communities will be under law enforcement activity. The ban of these products are targeted by racial groups, however it is the access from kids that the government is trying to avoid.  Many people are viewing this ban as patronizing and discriminatory as it is aimed for specific groups of people.

Last year, Massachusetts passed a law to ban all flavored tobacco products including menthol-flavored cigarettes. A multi-billion dollar prohibition was aimed in the black market tobacco products in the northeast. Other flavor bans have passed in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York. Florida is also going through a flavor ban law and will find out shortly what the verdict is. 

Flavored tobacco or nicotine products have become a huge issue in today's world, and legislatures are taking action to stop it from getting worse. The main reason for this ban is how easy it is for minors to get a hold of, and the new statistics of what it can do to your health. 

 

 

With COVID-19 taking over, government officials are making it priority to ban these products for the public safety and to stop the access of the youth all over the world. Studies have shown that those who smoke are at higher risk of getting the coronavirus. 

According to the LA Times, “Infectious-disease experts say it is likely that the novel coronavirus will become endemic like influenza, meaning it will be a persistent threat to humans, especially those in poor health, and managed only by regular immunizations, medicine and improved health. Surely there’s no better time than 2020 to protect another generation from getting hooked on tobacco products that destroy their lungs and make them susceptible to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.” 

Flavors are becoming more popular among young adults while four of five users are smoking flavored e-cigarettes, and two of five users are smoking menthol-flavored cigarettes. The purpose of e-cigarettes was to help cigarette smokers transition to vaping and eventually quit all together. However, the vaping and tobacco industry have taken off and created a name for themselves. Unfortunately, it backfired and government officials are trying to make an end to it.

According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, “The study, which highlights smoking trends among 18- to 25-year-olds, shows that e-cigarette vaping surged by 48% over that period, while marijuana use increased by 19%.” 

The health risks are concerning and your chances of getting COVID-19 are higher. More and more people are becoming addictive users, and the government wants to put an end to it. Although the youth has a stronger immune and respiratory system, it is not worth being at a higher risk. 

This ban will affect not only users, but many retailers. The stop of these sales will have people out of jobs, and it is hard enough to find work during this pandemic. “The bill’s opponents are primarily makers and sellers of tobacco and nicotine products. They can’t challenge the health implications of tobacco use, so they argue that depriving retailers of sales to adults during an economic downturn will lead to financial calamity for small businesses. It will certainly affect some retailers, such as convenience stores and grocers, although it’s hard to imagine that many are dependent on flavored tobacco products for their survival.”

The Assembly Appropriations Committee is holding a public hearing this Tuesday, August 18th at 10:00 a.m., discussing the flavor ban bill. It will probably be the last time we have the opportunity to stop SB 793 from being passed. If it passes the committee and gets voted through, it will most likely become a law. 

With the Trump Administration in full support and defending these tobacco laws, their mind will most likely not change. This is our last hope to stopping these acts and keep more items on the market. Be sure to get your voice heard and speak up on the issues that can affect you. 

 

Works Cited 

Editorial: No More Excuses. Ban Flavored Tobacco Products. 4 Aug. 2020, www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-04/editorial-no-more-excuses-ban-flavored-tobacco-products

Howard, Jacqueline. “Lawmakers Want e-Cigarettes Cleared from Market amid Covid Pandemic. Here's Why.” CNN, Cable News Network, 11 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/11/health/covid-vaping-fda-lawmakers-letter-bn/index.html

Service, C. (2020, July 01). UCLA Study Shows Surge in Vaping, Marijuana Use Among Young Adults. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/ucla-study-shows-surge-in-vaping-marijuana-use-among-young-adults/2388753