Sonoma County bans sale of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county. The changes to the county’s tobacco retail ordinance are in response to public health data that show e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco use increasing among high school-aged youth.

In Sonoma County, 46 percent of 11th graders said they have used an e-cigarette, and 76 percent report that it is “fairly” or “very” easy to obtain e-cigarettes, according to the California Healthy Kids Survey. The devices, also known as vapes, can cause serious health implications, according to medical researchers. A 2022 scientific statement from the American Heart Association outlines negative effects to the body and mind, including to pulmonary and cardiovascular function, brain health and addiction, mental health and sleep health.

“Today’s action signals the Board’s ongoing commitment to the health and safety of local youth,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “By banning the sale of certain tobacco products that have pervaded youth culture, we can make it harder for children to access these dangerous products.”

Sonoma County’s ordinance aligns with the cities of Petaluma, Sebastopol and Windsor, which have also outlawed the sale of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco. Since 2022, California law has prohibited the sale of most flavored tobacco products, with some exemptions. The law, however, allows local jurisdictions such as Sonoma County to adopt more restrictive flavor policies. For example, the state does not address online sales of flavored tobacco products while the county ordinance sets limits for local online sales through app-based deliveries and “brick and click” store fronts. These are local retailers where merchants are running both an online store and a physical retail outlet.

There are currently 79 licensed tobacco retailers in unincorporated Sonoma County, 23 percent of the total tobacco retailers throughout the county including cities.

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Media Contact: 
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403