Golden State Today

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 3218 into law, aimed at bolstering the enforcement of the state's flavored tobacco ban. The bill, sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta and authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), seeks to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 793 from 2019.

Attorney General Bonta emphasized California's leadership in combating flavored tobacco sales: “California has been a leader in combatting the sale of addictive flavored tobacco products, and AB 3218 will further strengthen these efforts by providing new tools to protect the health of all Californians, particularly our youth, from the dangers of these harmful products.” He expressed gratitude towards Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, and Assemblymember Wood for their roles in holding the tobacco industry accountable.

Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Jim Wood highlighted his long-standing opposition to tobacco use: “As a practicing dentist, I have forever opposed the use of tobacco of any kind, and will continue to support policies that restrict its use.” He noted his history of supporting measures against tobacco since his time on the Healdsburg City Council.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas reiterated their commitment to protecting young people: “We will always work to strengthen laws that protect California’s young people from the harms of addictive flavored tobacco products.”

Jamie Morgan from the American Heart Association praised the bill's potential impact: "This bill will strengthen enforcement of California’s landmark law prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products and further our goal to protect youth from a lifetime of addiction to nicotine."

Yolonda C. Richardson from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids also commended state officials: “The measures signed today will crack down on tobacco industry efforts to evade the law so they can keep targeting kids, Black communities and other groups with illegal products.”

Kesa Bruce from the American Lung Association lauded Governor Newsom's actions: "By signing AB 3218 and SB 1230, the Governor has given our state the tools it needs to effectively enforce our flavored tobacco ban."

AB 3218 introduces several key measures effective January 1, 2025:

- Establishing a public list of permissible unflavored tobacco products.

- Authorizing civil penalties against sellers not complying with this list.

- Allowing seizure of non-compliant products.

- Revising definitions related to prohibited flavors.

This legislation builds on previous efforts by Attorney General Bonta who announced nearly $28.5 million in grant funding through California Department of Justice’s Tobacco Grant Program earlier this year.