It added: “We agree that youth should never have access to any tobacco products, but this can be achieved without imposing a total prohibition on products that millions of adults choose to use. This law goes too far and is unfair, particularly since lawmakers have exempted hookah, expensive cigars and flavored pipe tobacco from the prohibition. Moreover, a prohibition will hurt small, local businesses and jobs as products are pushed from licensed, conscientious retailers to an underground market, leading to increased youth access, crime and other social or criminal justice concerns for many California residents.”
While the ban was originally set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, that implementation date could be delayed if the signatures are verified. If that occurs, the ban would be on hold until the referendum is voted on in 2022. The Los Angeles Times reported that 623,312 valid signatures are required and the California Coalition for Fairness will aim to get more signatures than that since many could be discarded by state auditors in review. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 22-month delay of the ban could translate to an additional $1.1 billion in sales for cigarette manufacturers who would be greatly impacted by the ban.
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