Governor Phil Scott this week has vetoed legislation banning the sale of flavored tobacco and vape products in Vermont.
The state of Vermont’s Bill S.18 would have banned menthol cigarettes, all flavored vapor products and flavored nicotine pouches effective Jan. 1, 2026.
In a letter outlining his decision, Governor Scott said the protection of children must be “balanced in such a way that we honor the rights and freedoms of adults to make decisions about their individual lives.”
The veto caused reaction from opponents and proponents of the bill.
“It is deeply disappointing that Gov. Phil Scott has protected the tobacco industry at the expense of Vermont’s kids and taxpayers by vetoing legislation to crack down on the sale of flavored tobacco products,” said John Bowman, executive vice president for U.S. programs for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Tobacco and convenience-store insiders also weighed in on the veto including the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA) Executive Director Peter Brennan, who issued the following statement to CSP regarding the governor’s veto:
“We applaud Governor Scott for protecting public health, small businesses, and the economy. Prohibition policies remove products from responsible retailers and do nothing to promote public health. We urge the Vermont Legislature to sustain this veto and focus on policies that bolster education and training practices that have driven youth tobacco and nicotine use to historic lows.”
States that are also considering flavor bans on all tobacco and nicotine products include Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota and Michigan.
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