Proposition 31 - Referendum on 2020 Law That Would Prohibit the Retail Sale of Certain Flavored Tobacco Products

Summary

A "Yes" vote approves, and a "No" vote rejects, a 2020 law prohibiting retail sale of certain flavored tobacco products. Fiscal Impact: Decreased state tobacco tax revenues ranging from tens of millions of dollars annually to around $100 million annually

A "yes" vote on this measure means in-person stores and vending machines could not sell most flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers

A "no" vote on this measure means in-person stores and vending machines could continue to sell flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers, as allowed under other federal, state, and local rules

Arguments

"At a time of record inflation, declining real wages, rising fuel costs, supply chain shortages, and labor shortages, removing products from the market will only serve to make a bad situation worse." - Samuel Bayless, Director of the Policy for California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, in opposition to Proposition 31 (Learn more)

"I have been very, very expressive in terms of my absolute condemnation of this tobacco industry that continues to find ways to target our youth. It will be a point of deep pride and personal privilege—as a father of four and as someone who's had many, many family members die at the hands of the tobacco industry—to sign that bill." - Governor Gavin Newsom, in support of Proposition 31 (Learn more)

"This movement couldn't be more urgent: The U.S. Surgeon General and the FDA have labeled youth e-cigarette use an "epidemic," and four out of five kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product. Meanwhile, more than 150,000 Black Americans have died prematurely because of minty-sweet menthol, the original candy-flavored cigarette." - Yes on 31, in support of Proposition 31 (Learn more)

Measure Details