Connecticut Eyes Flavored Tobacco Ban
Lawmakers want to eliminate all flavors, including menthol, for tobacco and vaping products.
February 10, 2021
HARTFORD, Conn. Connecticut legislators are considering a full ban on flavored tobacco and electronic cigarette products, including menthol cigarettes, the Hartford Courant reports.
Senate Bill 326 would outlaw the sale of flavored tobacco, vape and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The proposal defines flavor as a “distinguishable taste or aroma,” including any type of “fruit, chocolate, menthol, mint, wintergreen, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb or spice.” The taste or aroma of tobacco is not included in the description.
Retailers oppose the bill because of the potential to lose a significant revenue stream. “By banning menthol cigarettes, it’s not only going to jeopardize our sales, but also revenue for the state,” said Nurul Alam, owner of Foodland, during a public health hear
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By John Laidler Globe Correspondent,Updated December 23, 2020, 4:40 p.m.
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Jonathan Shaer
Executive Director of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, based in Stoughton; Needham resident
Jonathan Shaer
Prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco by licensed retailers in Massachusetts was an ill-conceived, excessive policy that has failed by every measure and should be repealed.
The focus of the law should be restricting all points of youth access to vape, including online and social sources, and curtailing the myriad flavors that make it so attractive to underage youth. Period. Yet, the governor signed into law a policy that goes well beyond vape to include menthol cigarettes and mint/wintergreen smokeless tobacco â both adult products â with consequences for the state, small businesses, and minority adults.