The California Assembly passed SB 793, a bill that bans the sale of flavored vaping products in brick-and-mortar stores. If the bill becomes a law, the sales of flavored smokeless tobacco, menthol cigarettes, and small cigars will also be banned.
This bill is now being reconciled with the already passed state Senate version. Later it will be passed to Governor Gavin Newsom who's already indicated he will be signing the bill.
The amendments in the final assembly of the bill will include the flavor ban for hookah products, premium cigars, and pipe tobacco. Independent vape owners and industries were unable to fully participate in this decision, as hundreds of vapers in California opposed the legislation. They took a stand and a call to action by sending messages to legislators to oppose the bill. However, it just was not good enough.
Juul Labs and other tobacco companies were also unable to lobby for an exemption that would discontinue the PMTA approval for future references. Other disposable vape companies like Puff Bar, are also still trying to get PMTA approval but it's not looking good.
As the ban only affects retailers in brick and mortar, California recently passed a new law the pro longs online vape purchases. The law entails that every purchase will require an adult signature on delivery. This affects many users as some areas are not able to have delivery services reach their community or place of living. Their postal services are also miles away from their homes making it even more inconvenient to receive their packages.
Many black activists tried convincing minority legislators to oppose SB 793 on racial justice. However, the Democrats who supported the black activist either changed their votes or did not participate. At the end of the hearing, the final vote was 50-0 with 12 Democrats, and 17 Republicans not voting.
The bill will most likely not be stopped now as the tobacco control groups have taken over legislation and their power. The anti-vaping groups are the real leaders for the ban along with Democrats who have higher power in both houses of the California legislature.
This ban in California will double the amount of Americans who will no longer have access to these vaping products in retail stores. While California is one of the most populated states in the country, this will be a huge loss for over 50,000 people.
As this bill will most likely become a law, that means California will be the fifth state to ban flavored vaping products. The four other states include Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
The next state on the chopping block is Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has a tough decision to make, deciding to either sign or veto the flavor ban bill. Many vaping businesses are trying to persuade DeSantis to veto the bill of the flavor ban, and help save many jobs.
