A bill to ban the retail sale of flavoured tobacco products in California has been signed and will come into effect from January 2021, reports Forbes.

Signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Bill 793 will mean retailers that continue to sell flavoured e-cigarette cartridges or flavoured cigarettes will face a fine of USD 250 starting from January 2021. The aim of the bill which was supported by the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association is to reduce the number of young people vaping, according to Forbes. Studies show that flavours such as cotton candy, mango and melon twist are highly attracted to teens and tweens getting them hooked on vaping and addicted to the nicotine contained in the products.
The bill which was announced one year after New York banned the sale of flavoured e-cigarettes will also see the ban of menthol cigarettes. According to Forbes, this has led to a backlash and heated debates as menthol products are more often used by adults and are especially popular among people of colour. Those opposing the ban say the bill clearly favours those who can afford to buy premium expensive flavoured cigars.