California Bill would ban disposable filter cigarettes and tobacco vapes

Cigarette smokers and vapers beware—a new California law could upend the state’s tobacco industry as we know it, and other states are following suit. The law blames the piling up of cigarette butts and focuses on cigarette and vapor waste rather than focusing on nicotine.

California lawmakers introduced legislation Jan. 25 that would ban single-use tobacco products in a bid to alleviate ongoing environmental problems. This affects almost all types of cigarettes with disposable filters and disposable tobacco vape products. It also specifically targets tobacco products.

Assembly Member Luz Rivas, along with Assembly Members Cottie Petrie-Norris and Mark Stone, introduced Assembly Bill 1690, or the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Act. Key contributors, including Assembly members Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Boerner, Horvath, Friedman, Lee, Nazarian, Quirk, and Wicks, also joined, as did Senators Allen, Becker, Limón, Newman, Portantino, and Wiener.

“This law would prohibit any person or business from selling, giving or making available to another person of any age in this state a cigarette that uses a disposable filter of any material, a disposable plastic attachable device that contains the Operation is intended to facilitate manipulation or filtration of a tobacco product or an electronic cigarette or vaporizer for single use,” the bill reads.

The bill also applies to rolling papers – but appears to apply specifically to tobacco use.

“…the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Act, an enforcement agency as defined, may impose civil penalties on any person, firm or corporation selling certain tobacco and cigarette articles, including rolling paper, to a person under the age of 21, except as otherwise noted.” . Existing civil penalties range from $400-$600 for a first violation to $5,000-$6,000 for a fifth violation within 5 years.”

Fox 40 reports that nicotine or cannabis aren’t necessarily the problem; Instead, it’s the stacking filters and vape pens that are MP Luz Rivas’ primary battlefield. “I want to be clear. This law does not prohibit the sale of tobacco or marijuana in California. That is not the purpose of this bill,” said Assemblyman Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley).

Thank you to everyone who supported the unveiling of #AB1690 today, our bill banning the sale of disposable vaping devices and tobacco filters!

This is the year that these dangerous and wasteful single-use products will be banned to protect our health and the environment. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/M0b8ilIdZ9

— MP Luz Rivas (@AsmLuzRivas) January 25, 2022

The delivery of said tobacco products would also be prohibited. “The bill would prohibit the sale, transfer or supply, whether directly or indirectly by a personal transaction or by any public or private method of shipment or delivery, to an address in that state,” it said.

Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcing the law, and violators face civil penalties of $500 if passed. “This statute would authorize a city attorney, district attorney or district attorney to impose a fine of $500 on any person found to have violated these prohibitions in a proceeding conducted in accordance with the procedures of the law enforcement agency, as indicated.”

Bill supporters said single-use products cause a variety of environmental problems. Eventually, the state’s efforts force public agencies to spend $41 million a year cleaning cigarette filters, vaporizers, and other disposable products.

“The smokers: They smoke and they throw. You risk a $1,000 fine if you flick a cigarette out of a vehicle or throw it on the beach or throw it anywhere in the environment, and that’s not a deterrent at all,” said Assemblyman Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay).

Senator Josh Becker, representing California’s 13th Senate District, announced on Twitter that he is proud to be co-authoring Rep. Rivas’ bill.

A similar proposal is underway in New York State. The Tobacco Product Waste Reduction Act, introduced into the New York State Legislature by New York State Senator Liz Krueger and Rep. Judy Griffin, would ban the sale of similar disposable tobacco products.

In the coming months, expect to see more tobacco products being launched that bypass the single-use model we’ve all become accustomed to.

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