List of Vape Flavor Bans in the United States

By Ellesmere Zhu

On November 8, Californians passed a referendum 62% to 38% to uphold the existing ban on flavored tobacco and vape products. They are the second state, following Massachusetts, to prohibit the sale of both flavored e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, and the fifth to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes following Massachusetts (Nov. 2019), Rhode Island (Mar. 2020), New Jersey (Apr. 2020), and New York State (May 2020).

“A lot on the ballot. Not to be missed--a chance to stand up to nasty tobacco companies that are willing to put our kids' health at risk to flush their bank accounts with cash. It's sick”, tweets Gavin Newsom, Governor candidate of CA on Nov. 5, “Vote YES ON PROP 31 to ensure the ban on flavored tobacco stays put. Save lives. Vote YES.”

Gov. Newsom’s tweet

The impending ban seems to enrage interest groups as well as vapers as R.J. Reynolds and others sue California and exasperated ex-smokers battle under Newsom’s tweet. 

ex-smoker battling under Newsom’s tweet

As of October 18, 2022, more localities beyond the states above voted over the ban on flavored tobacco. They are:

5 from Colorado

1 from Georgia

2 from Illinois (Chicago included)

3 from Maine (Portland included)

27 from Minnesota (Minneapolis included)

2 from Ohio

1 from Oregon

1 from Pennsylvania (i.e., Philadelphia)

And Washington D.C.

Reference: STATES & LOCALITIES THAT HAVE RESTRICTED THE SALE OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS