IT'S OFFICIAL!
The City of San Francisco yesterday (June 28), decided by the Board of Supervisors, effectively banned menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, flavored vape juice, and other flavored tobacco products. According to Ted Egan, chief economist for the SF Controller Office, The City stands to lose over $50 million dollars in sales and tax revenue. Over 700 merchants will be affected by the ban. These retailers include gas stations, smoke shops, liquor stores, and grocery stores. The Mayor, Ed Lee, just needs his stamp of approval for the new ordinance to go into effect as soon as April 2018. Online sales would still be allowed, just not within city limits.
Supervisor Malia Cohen introduced this legislation last April in an attempt to cut down on tobacco campaigns and tobacco products marketed at the youth.
She was quoted as saying, "“For too long the tobacco industry has gotten a pass while they selectively target vulnerable populations with flavored tobacco products,” said Supervisor Cohen. “Flavored tobacco hooks new smokers and makes them lifelong users. It can be more harmful and more difficult to quit than unflavored tobacco. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, specifically cancers. This legislation will have a tremendous impact on the disturbing disparities for tobacco-related illnesses, and will reduce the number of new tobacco users that pick up the habit annually.”
What do you think? Should a city or county have the right to enforce a blanket ban/restriction on flavored tobacco? Why or Why not?
Reply below!!!