The City of Chula Vista is attempting to ban the sale of traditional flavored tobacco products.

At 5:00 pm today, September 13th, the Chula Vista City Council will be voting on a proposed flavor tobacco ban, similar to the City of San Diego’s ban earlier this year. The item is on the Agenda as Item 8.2. The public can participate in person ONLY at Chula Vista City Hall: Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91902

If implemented, the City of Chula Vista will ban flavor tobacco effective January 1st, 2023.

You can also submit written public comments via email by Noon today to the city clerk at cityclerk@chulavistaca.gov

The City of Chula Vista is considering this ban despite the election being less than 2 months away. City officials did not reach out to Chula Vista retailers or the NMA, key stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic has already damaged the retailer community.

NMA President Marlon Oram Mansour spoke to reporters yesterday, highlighting the many issues with the proposed ordinance: the devastating impact a flavor ban will have on businesses and communities, the fact it will not solve the issues of youth access to these products, and the fact that the entire state of California will have a chance to vote on this issue to affect the entire state in just a few months. Mr. Mansour also stressed how the vast majority of retailers are not aware of this hearing and proposed ban and wrote a letter to all Chula Vista City officials stressing a delay on any vote.

The City of Chula Vista should not spend time or taxpayer money on this ban as California voters will have a chance to voice their opinions this fall.

Please spread the word to all retailers in the City of Chula Vista. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or call the NMA office at (619) 313-4400.