Source: Orange County Register
by Jeffrey Smith
“Last November, 63% of Californians chose to ban flavored tobacco products statewide by voting in favor of Proposition 31. The measure consolidated previous prohibition efforts across several individual cities, including San Diego. Though the statewide ban went into effect Jan. 1, there are clear indications that the public-health improvements voters expected are not materializing. Most notably, illicit flavored tobacco product sales have increased while state revenues have decreased, products not covered by the ban have entered into the marketplace and the rate of cigarette smoking remains unchanged. The scope of negative consequences is significant. … Ultimately, the overreaching attempt to regulate human behavior through legal restraints rarely, if ever, benefits the individuals most directly affected by these sociological experiments.” (09/05/23)