COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Columbus is among several that began instituting a ban on flavored tobacco sales on New Year’s Day.

What You Need To Know

  • The ban on flavored tobacco in Columbus went into effect on Jan. 1.

  • Some state lawmakers believe that the power to make these kinds of regulations rests with state, not local governments

  • Flavored tobacco products have been popular since their inception, especially among young people

But state lawmakers in the house recently overrode a governor’s veto on a bill that looks to stop communities from enacting those types of laws.

“What the state is doing now is taking away local control. So they’re trying to take away their ability to pass policies that regulate the tobacco products that are sold in their communities,” said Leo Almeida, state government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Flavored tobacco products have been very popular since their inception, especially among children. Cancer experts said the different flavors have led more and more of them to become addicted to nicotine at a younger age.

“Tobacco companies utilize this flavor of tobacco products to entice our young users specifically, but really to make it easier for anyone to start utilizing their products. And unfortunately, then they become addicted to nicotine,” said Almeida.

In Columbus, the new ban affects any flavored tobacco products that have a wide variety of tastes or smells, including fruit, chocolate or vanilla. However, many state lawmakers believe that power should belong to the state and not local governments.

“So they’re trying to take away their ability to pass policies that regulate the tobacco products that are sold in their communities, which is really unfortunate when you think about how often we see young people utilizing tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes, which are typically a flavored product,” said Almeida.