OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland City Council approved a ban on flavored-tobacco products that includes menthol cigarettes, blunt wraps, electronic cigarettes and vaping material, according to the East Bay Times.
The ordinance goes into effect in the spring of 2018. Called the Oakland Children Smoking Prevention Ordinance, the measure was initially approved in July, then tweaked by committees before the final vote on Sept. 19, according to the Times.
Those in support of the measure said it would prevent children and young people from getting hooked on tobacco. Those against it said the ban will stifle local businesses, especially for shopkeepers lawfully selling regulated products and keeping age-restricted merchandise from underaged customers.
Similar bans have been approved this year in San Francisco and unincorporated Contra Costa County in California.
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