Rubio Legislation to Enforce Removal of Flavored Tobacco Passes California Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee

SACRAMENTO, CA – With overwhelming support the California Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee passed SB 1230-the STOP Act by Senator Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).  SB 1230 prioritizes the health and safety of California youth and all Californians, by strengthening enforcement of California’s flavored tobacco ban and removing illegal tobacco products from the market.

“As a school teacher, I know all too well that California students continue to have easy access to addictive e-cigarettes with flavors designed to appeal to youth,” said Senator Susan Rubio. “This is why I pushed legislation in 2020 to ban the sale of flavored tobacco in California. It is alarming that unauthorized tobacco products continue to flow into California and end up in the hands of our youth. We must increase the enforcement of California’s flavored tobacco ban to stop the spread of illegal tobacco products.”

SB 1230, also known as the Strengthen Tobacco Oversight Programs (STOP) and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act, will authorize employees of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to seize and destroy flavored tobacco products discovered during inspections of locations where tobacco products are sold or stored. SB 1230 will also increase the civil penalties for retailers who sell illegal tobacco products and tobacco products to people under 21 years old.

According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, approximately 2.8 million high school students and middle school students used a tobacco product in the past year, and nearly 90 percent of youth electronic cigarette users used flavored products. Despite California’s flavored tobacco ban, there has been a surge in illegal tobacco products being imported into the state. In December 2023, the United States Customs and Border Protection seized more than 1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes, valued at $18 million, at Los Angeles International Airport.

“This bill will allow California Department of Tax and Fee Administration personnel to be able to seize illegal products they come across when performing normal duties.  This is a simple yet, effective wat to ensure that the law is being obeyed and kid-friendly flavors are off of shelves in California,” said Tim Gibbs, from Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

“We can’t be caught up in defending ourselves from those who are trying to exploit our youth by selling illegal tobacco products, which is why it is so important for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to have the authority to protect us,” said Ananya Pinnamaneni, a high school student on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Senator Rubio has been a legislative champion in the fight against Big Tobacco since joining the State Senate. She authored Senate Bill 538 in 2019 to help educate teachers and parents about the dangers of electronic cigarettes and coauthored Senate Bill 793 in 2020 to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in California. She also authored Senate Bill 626 in 2023 to protect the safety of hospitality workers and guests by making every California hotel and motel room smoke-free. The STOP and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act introduced this year is sponsored by the American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

SB 1230 will next be heard in the Senate Health Committee.

Senator Susan Rubio represents Senate District 22.

For more information, visit https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/

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