US Tobacco Companies Challenge California Flavored Tobacco Ban

Nov.30.2022
US Tobacco Companies Challenge California Flavored Tobacco Ban
Tobacco companies challenge California's ban on flavored tobacco products in the US Supreme Court.

On November 29th, tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, also known as Reynold Tobacco Holdings, joined other tobacco companies in a joint request to the United States Supreme Court. They requested an emergency order to block California's ban on flavored tobacco products.


Two years ago, the ban was initially passed by the state legislature, but it never went into effect after tobacco companies collected a significant number of "no" votes. However, nearly two-thirds of voters approved the prohibition of selling electronic cigarette products, and the law will take effect on December 21st.


Supporters of the ban state that this law is necessary to curb the increasing number of young people who smoke.


A study has found that one in six high school students in the United States use e-cigarettes or tobacco products.


Renault filed a federal lawsuit and raised objections to it, but the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Renault's emergency motion.


Tobacco giants argue that the authority to ban flavors belongs to federal law. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act grants the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco. These companies are represented by Noel Francisco, who previously served as the top lawyer for the Trump administration at the Supreme Court.


California will become the second state in the United States to implement a ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, following in the footsteps of Massachusetts. Several cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, have already implemented their own bans, and a few states have prohibited the sale of flavored electronic cigarette products.


2FIRSTS will continue to provide ongoing coverage of this issue, with updates available on the 2FIRSTS app. Scan the QR code below to download the app.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, a project operated by Knowledge·Action·Change, estimates that about 200 million people worldwide use non-combustible nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and snus. Its 2026 report says use of these products rose alongside declining smoking rates in 28 countries it analyzed. The data do not establish that all 200 million users have quit smoking, nor do they prove a direct causal relationship. GSTHR also says regulatory restrictions on the products continue to expand in many markets.
Sep.10
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI nicotine pouch brand Nordic Spirit has entered a long-term partnership with Manchester’s Co-op Live, becoming the venue’s Official Nicotine Pouch Partner. The 23,500-capacity venue is the UK’s largest indoor live entertainment arena. Nordic Spirit will run in-venue activations for existing adult nicotine consumers and sell products at selected arena bars. The agreement was entered into before the relevant UK sponsorship restrictions were introduced, while the government intends to implement a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from June 1, 2027.
Sep.07
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
BAT Rothmans says it previously considered exiting South Korea's vaping market because of competitive pressure from unregulated products, but is now reassessing conditions following changes to the country's nicotine regulatory framework. Vuse and other BAT vaping products remain available through existing distribution channels. The statement followed a South Korean media report that interpreted BAT's broader withdrawal from selected Vapour markets as a full exit from South Korea. Meanwhile, Philip Morris International launched VEEV inPRIME in the country in June and began expanding distribution to around 14,000 convenience stores and other retail channels in July. The contrasting moves highlight differing investment strategies as South Korea's regulated vaping market evolves.
Aug.14
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07
Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
A new Swedish study found oral mucosal lesions in 79% of examined nicotine pouch users and 89% of tobacco-derived snus users, with different tissue-response patterns between the two categories. For manufacturers and regulators, the findings shift attention toward product formulation, flavouring, pouch materials and local oral exposure, not only whether a product contains tobacco. The study found no higher prevalence of caries or periodontal disease, but it could not establish causality, long-term outcomes or differences between individual products or designs.
Special Report
Jul.27
China STMA Deputy Administrator Meets KT&G COO as Heated Cigarette Rules Advance
China STMA Deputy Administrator Meets KT&G COO as Heated Cigarette Rules Advance
Wang Gongcheng, deputy administrator of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, met KT&G Chief Operating Officer Lee Sang-hak in Shanghai on September 1, according to Oriental Tobacco News. The meeting comes as China seeks public comment on a draft mandatory national standard for heated cigarettes. The report did not disclose the subjects discussed or indicate whether heated tobacco products or market access were addressed.
News
Sep.02