The California Attorney General has issued guidelines for enforcement of the flavored tobacco ban. Including establishing a list of unflavored tobacco products that can be sold and civil penalties for illegal sales, which will take effect in 2025.
California Attorney General Issues Guidance on Flavored Tobacco Bans
On December 20, the California Attorney General’s Office released news that the state’s Attorney General. Rob Bonta, issued guidance to help businesses across the state comply with the new law on flavored tobacco bans.
List of products involved and penalties for violations
Under the new law, effective January 1, 2025. Assembly Bill 3218 (AB 3218) will build on the Flavored Tobacco Ban of 2019 (SB 793) with new enforcement measures under the Attorney General’s Office and establish a list of all unflavored tobacco products that are allowed for sale.
The Attorney General stated:
- “Flavored tobacco products continue to addict young children in the state. This requires a collective effort, including law enforcement officers at the state and local levels, to address the illegal access to these products. This new law will give my office the support it needs to hold illegal sales accountable and help sellers who want to meet their obligations fully comply with the law.”
Assembly Bill 3218 will ensure full compliance with the flavored tobacco ban by:
- Establish a publicly available list of all unflavored tobacco products permitted for sale under state flavored tobacco restrictions;
- Authorizing the attorney general to impose civil penalties for the sale of products not on the “odorless list”;
- To seize products that are not on the Odourless List to assist state or local law enforcement agencies in their enforcement;
- Amend the definition of prohibited “specialty flavors” to specifically include menthol-flavored products, as well as other flavors “recognizable to ordinary consumers.”
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