Flavored vaping ban in San Francisco

SAN Francisco city supervisors unanimously approved a measure banning the sale of flavored nicotine-laced liquid used in electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco products.

They say nicotine masked in cotton candy, banana cream, mint and other flavors entices kids into a lifetime of addiction.

Other cities have reduced access to flavored vaping liquids and flavored tobacco but San Francisco is the first in the country to ban them. Sales of vaping liquids that taste like tobacco will still be allowed.

“We’re focusing on flavored products because they are widely considered to be a starter product for future smokers,” said Supervisor Malia Cohen, who sponsored the bill.

Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, an organization that advocates for vaping products, said the ordinance is “complete nonsense” and ignores the benefits of flavored vaping products.

“There is a great deal of evidence that flavors are critical to helping adults quit smoking by helping them disconnect from the taste of tobacco,” said Conley, who quit smoking in 2010 with the help of watermelon-flavored “e-liquid,” the liquid used in electronic cigarettes.

Conley pointed to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last week that found the number of high school and middle school students using e-cigarettes fell to 2.2 million last year, from 3 million the year before. The CDC also estimates that the number of middle and high school students using tobacco products fell to 3.9 million last year, from 4.7 million the year before.

“Unfortunately, San Francisco supervisors ignored that data and the stories about how vaping was the only thing that helped many smokers quit,” he said.

The measure requires another vote by the board next week, which is expected to pass. The law would take effect, next April.

Cohen, who represents the traditionally black Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, said tobacco companies advertise 10 times more in black neighborhoods and market candy and fruit-flavored products to young people, the LGBTQ community and other minorities.