There’s now a ban on flavored tobacco sales in Sacramento County. Here’s what to know

Sacramento County’s youth are the focus of its newest law: the sale ban of flavored tobacco.

Effective Monday, July 25, it’s illegal to sell flavored tobacco to anyone in the unincorporated areas of the county — regardless of age. The ban includes flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes and cigars along with any flavored edible tobacco and nicotine product.

“Mentholated and flavored products have been shown to be starter products for youths who begin using tobacco and establish tobacco habits that can lead to long-term addiction,” said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County’s public health officer, in an email statement to The Bee. “The ordinance will reduce the potential for youths to begin or continue using tobacco products.”

The sale ban includes all cigarette products with smells and flavors besides tobacco, according to a Sacramento County January news release introducing the law. Hookah lounges are not exempt.

Sacramento’s flavor ban targets its youth

Three in four California adults agree that flavored tobacco is “intentionally designed” to appeal to young people, according to the California Department of Public Health’s “California Tobacco facts and Figures 2021.” And the data backs the claim.

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