US capital DC officially bans the sale of flavoured tobacco products and menthol cigarettes throughout the city. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement after signing the bill, which was passed by the DC Council last month, NBC Washington reported.

The bill prohibits the sale and distribution of tobacco products with a “distinguishable taste or aroma other than tobacco, including fruit, chocolate, vanilla, candy, dessert, alcoholic beverage, menthol, mint or wintergreen.” It also prohibits the sale and distribution of electronic smoking devices within a quarter-mile of schools. However, there’s an exemption for some shisha bars, the report said.
“Reducing the use of tobacco is a health equity issue. We know that Black residents are disproportionately affected by tobacco use, and flavoured tobacco, including menthol, continues to have a particularly insidious effect on our community. Today, we take a hugely impactful step to reducing tobacco initiation and addiction in Washington, D.C.,” Bowser said in a statement.