SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has opted to let voters decide the fate of menthol-flavored tobacco products in the city.
A petition drive to put the city’s recent ban of menthol products before voters proved successful in forcing the board to make a choice: Repeal the ordinance outright or put it up for public vote.
On Sept. 5, the supervisors agreed to put the measure on the ballot during the city's June 5, 2018, election, according to CNBC. At that point, residents will be able to vote on whether retailers can sell flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarette liquid, in the city.
Flavored-tobacco bans or restrictions have passed or are currently being considered in a half-dozen cities across the United States, including Chicago, Minneapolis and Oakland, Calif.
Let’s Be Real San Francisco, a coalition of businesses and industry associations, spearheaded the petition efforts through the early summer, garnering 33,941 signatures where 19,000 were required. The news source reports that continuing efforts to oppose the ban will include door-to-door campaigns.
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