Columbus – Columbus Public Health proposed legislation that would prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco, including menthol products in November that proposal was passed by the City this week.
The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, includes menthol cigarettes and flavored vaping products.
City leaders such as the Mayor of Columbus Andrew Ginther says that there is a calculated campaign with a selective marking towards kids and minorities for these products.
Supportive of the ban was not only the Mayor but Columbus City Schools.
In the proposal, it stated that, the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported currently using e-cigarettes in 2021, with more than 8 in 10 of those youth using flavored e-cigarettes; and every day, about 2,500 children in the United States try their first cigarette, and another 400
children under 18 years of age become new regular daily smokers. 81% of youth who have ever used a tobacco product report that the first tobacco product they used was flavored; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a more than 800% increase in electronic cigarette use among middle school and high school students between 2011 and 2015 alone.”
Business owners at the meeting reported that this ban would affect sales at their establishments and have a negative impact on small businesses.
City Council approved a 1 million dollar proposal to help people quit smoking.
