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South Coast County Votes To Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is joining the governments of Santa Maria, Carpinteria, and other areas by approving  a ban on flavored tobacco products.

The ban is expected to become official in the new year, and will affect 66 stores in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The ban will also prohibit the mail-order delivery of tobacco products.

Among those to speak out in support of the ban were county public health officials, as well as students, who said it is very easy for them to get flavored e-cigarettes, despite the 21 year age minimum for purchase.

The retailers say that while there is a national and local problem with youth and tobacco, the ban would be unfair to local businesses.

Supervisor Gregg Hart says that the move won't solve the problem entirely, but it's a first step that needed to be taken.

The lone dissenter among the Supervisors was Peter Adam, who says that while he supports the ban, it wouldn't stop children from getting the products in other locations.

Andy worked at KCLU from 2016 until 2022.
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