Tuesday afternoon, the City of Los Angeles Health Committee unanimously voted to support an ordinance restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products.
“The leadership exhibited by the Health Committee of the City of Los Angeles today in voting to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco is a step in the right direction for public health,” said Erica Costa, director of Tobacco Control Advocacy for the American Lung Association in California. “We know that flavored tobacco products have long been used by the tobacco industry not only to target youth, but also communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities.”
“The American Lung Association 2022 ‘State of the Tobacco Control’ report found the City of Los Angeles received an “F” grade in its flavored tobacco products policy,” said Costa. “The strong action taken by the Council today can improve public health and raise those grades in next year’s report.”
The ordinance now moves to the Los Angeles City Council at large for a full vote.
“As the largest city in California, and the second largest city in the country, passing such an ordinance would save lives locally and provide a pathway for other jurisdictions to follow suit,” said Costa. “We strongly urge the Los Angeles City Council to restrict the sale of these products, protect youth from getting hooked on nicotine, and take a stand against Big Tobacco.”
