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SMC Board of Supervisors Bans Sale of Flavored Tobacco

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By enticing youth with candy flavors and touting it as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes, the e-cigarette/vaping industry has taken a page from the tobacco industry’s playbook. In June 2018, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted an ordinance that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products in unincorporated San Mateo County. Enforcement of the ordinance started on January 1, 2019. This ordinance is one way to address the recent increase in student vaping rates. Results from San Mateo Union High School District’s most recent California Healthy Kids Survey shows that 20% of their high school seniors report having used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. While the public health field has made great strides to curb tobacco use, new forms such as e-cigarettes pose new challenges in creating healthy school environments.