Defending California Ban on Sale of Most Flavored Tobacco Products

The citizens of California voted to ban the sale of most flavored tobacco products in a ballot initiative on November 9, 2022.  The tobacco industry attempted to get an emergency stay of the law by petitioning the US Supreme Court in the case of RJ Reynolds v. Bonta. ACS CAN joined an amicus brief opposing the stay against the California law, which ACS CAN worked for years to pass.  The brief was joined by 26 public health and provider groups, giving the Supreme Court scientific data on the key role of flavors in youth initiation of the products, underscoring why timely implementation of the law is critical to public health.  On December 12, 2022, the Supreme Court denied the industry’s petition.  Read our statement.