Livermore votes to ban flavored tobacco products, e-cigarettes

LIVERMORE, Calif. (KTVU) - The Livermore city council voted unanimously Monday night to ban all flavored tobacco products and vaping equipment like e-cigarettes.

The ordinance requires that all tobacco sales must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools and youth organizations.

Livermore is not the first city to do enact such a ban. In fact, the city joins nearly 200 others nationwide 
that have already restricted the sale of flavored tobacco products, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Those who support the ordinance say that this ban will prevent young people from smoking and vaping.

Those who oppose the ordinance are questioning why they must suffer as a result of an ordinance that is seemingly directed at youth.

The city received information from advocacy groups such as Breathe California and Flavor Hooks Kids, groups that are convinced that there is a rise in the marketing of these products to minors, and therefore, an increased use among this age group, according to the Pleasanton Weekly.

The city staff of Livermore found data pointing out the fact that e-cigarette usage among middle and high school students has risen nearly sixty percent from 2017 to 2018, the Weekly reported.