San Diego City Council to vote on regulating the sale of flavored tobacco products

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The San Diego Metropolis Council will meet Monday to vote on implementing the Cease Adolescent Habit to Flavored E-Cigarettes (SAAFE) ordinance that  would finish the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, also called vapes, within the metropolis.

San Diego leaders mentioned flavors like cool mint, gummy bear, strawberry lemonade and chocolate enhance the style and masks the harshness of tobacco merchandise, introducing new customers to a possible lifetime of dependancy in a extra approachable means.

“After many years of efficiently combating youth smoking, Large Tobacco has as soon as once more focused and addicted a brand new era of kids on tobacco and nicotine merchandise. They use sweet flavors to enchantment to younger youngsters and trick them into considering they’re smoking one thing safer than conventional cigarettes,” mentioned Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. “We should act now to carry Large Tobacco accountable and to guard the well being and security of our youth.”

Based on the 2021 Nationwide Youth Tobacco Survey, over 2 million youngsters used e-cigarettes in 2021 and 85% of them use flavored tobacco merchandise. Regionally, one in 4 San Diego highschool college students use e-cigarettes.

“All San Diego metropolis councilmembers have the chance to make a vital choice that may enhance the well being and way forward for the town and its residents within the title of public well being, fairness and social justice,” mentioned San Diegans vs. Large Tobacco Deputy Coalition Supervisor Aida Castaneda.

San Diegans vs. Large Tobacco coalition members embody American Coronary heart Affiliation, American Lung Affiliation, American Most cancers Society Most cancers Motion Community, Academy of Pediatrics, Mother and father Towards Vaping e-cigarettes, African American Tobacco Management Management Council, San Diego County Medical Society, SAY San Diego, San Ysidro Well being Facilities, San Diego Pediatricians for Clear Air, Household Well being Facilities of San Diego, Sierra Membership San Diego Chapter, the Marketing campaign for Tobacco-Free Children and others.

San Diego is without doubt one of the largest cities in California with out an ordinance ending the sale of flavored tobacco merchandise. As soon as ordinances are adopted by San Diego and Chula Vista, they may be part of greater than 100 cities and counties throughout California, together with San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and Lengthy Seaside, which can be cracking down on the sale of flavored tobacco merchandise.  

WATCH San Diego Unified sues Juul for advertising e-cigarettes to youngsters (Jan 8, 2020)