On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill passing the ban of flavored tobacco products, including menthol brands. Starting on January 1st, 2021, no longer will people be able to buy their favorite flavored Vapes—including Juul, Puff Bar, and Suorin devices. Newsom signed this bill as an attempt to omit teen nicotine addiction, as these “yummy tasting” flavors such as cotton candy, raspberry, and banana seem appealing and draw teens into purchasing these Vapes.
In addition to a ban on all Vape devices, there will also be a ban on menthol cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Hookah tobacco and premium cigars were originally included in the ban, but were later removed.
What does this mean for teens and young adults who are currently addicted to flavored nicotine vaporizers? Does this mean that we’ll see a surge in the number of teens and young adults who smoke traditional cigarettes, cigars, or hookah tobacco? Or will we see a decrease in nicotine addiction among this age group?
According to California Governor Gavin Newsom via a Twitter post, SB793, the bill that bans flavored tobacco products, is a “victory for public health in CA.”
NEW: California has banned flavored tobacco.#SB793 is a victory for public health in CA. Thank you to Sen. Hill for his leadership, and all the doctors, dentists, and public health advocates who persevered to make this happen.https://t.co/0lcP3be3Fu
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 28, 2020
Many voiced their support for this bill by replying to Governor Newsom’s Tweet, with one mother stating how “the tobacco industry has been targeting [our] teenagers at their high schools when parents are not there to watch their teens.”
The tobacco industry has been targeting our teenagers AT their high schools when parents are not there to watch their teens. It is when they are most vulnerable so YES, as a mother, is stand behind this 100%.
— Beatrice Cardenas (@RealBetyCardens) August 29, 2020
Anti-tobacco groups such as The American Heart Association also voiced their support for Governor Newsom signing the bill.
THANK YOU to @GavinNewsom for signing #SB793 into law. Ending the sale tobacco products designed to hook kids helps ensure we don’t lose a new generation to nicotine addiction. Yes on #SB793 #CentralCoastHasHeart pic.twitter.com/no3V8DB48i
— American Heart Assoc (@AHACentralCoast) August 29, 2020
While manufacturers and retailers of tobacco products have voiced their opposition to the bill and are worried that the ban on flavored tobacco products will greatly affect their profits, Newsom is more concerned to protect the “health and well-being of our kids,” hence the purpose of signing the bill.
