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Berkeley, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

State law
SB 793 / Prop 31
Statute
Health & Safety 104559.5
Includes menthol
Yes
Exempt
Premium cigars, loose tobacco

Summary

California SB 793, ratified by voters as Proposition 31 in 2022, bans most flavored tobacco product sales statewide. Berkeley enforces the ban locally and prohibits hookah lounges from opening near schools.

(b) (1) A tobacco retailer, or any of the tobacco retailer's agents or employees, shall not sell, offer for sale, or possess with the intent to sell or offer for sale, a flavored tobacco product or a tobacco product flavor enhancer. (2) There is a rebuttable presumption that a tobacco product is a flavored tobacco product if a manufacturer or any of the manufacturer's agents or employees, in the course of their agency or employment, has made a statement or claim directed to consumers or to the public that the tobacco product has or produces a characterizing flavor, including, but not limited to, text, color, images, or all, on the product's labeling or packaging that are used to explicitly or implicitly communicate that the tobacco product has a characterizing flavor. (c) Subdivision (b) does not apply to the sale of flavored shisha tobacco products by a hookah tobacco retailer if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The hookah tobacco retailer has a valid license to sell tobacco products issued pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 22971.7) of Division 8.6 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) The hookah tobacco retailer does not permit any person under 21 years of age to be present or enter the premises at any time. (i) This section does not preempt or otherwise prohibit the adoption of a local standard that imposes greater restrictions on the access to tobacco products than the restrictions imposed by this section. To the extent that there is an inconsistency between this section and a local standard that imposes greater restrictions on the access to tobacco products, the greater restriction on the access to tobacco products in the local standard shall prevail.

Source: Berkeley Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

California Senate Bill 793 (Health and Safety Code section 104559.5) prohibits the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored vape pods. Voters upheld the law as Proposition 31 in November 2022. Berkeley retailers may not sell flavored cigarettes, flavored e-liquids, or flavored cigars (except premium cigars and loose-leaf tobacco). Berkeley enforces the ban through its tobacco retail license and Alameda County tobacco enforcement, and prohibits hookah lounges from opening within 1,000 feet of schools or parks under local zoning.

Violations & Fines

Selling flavored tobacco can lead to suspension or revocation of the Berkeley tobacco retail license, civil fines under state law, and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order flavored vapes online?
California also restricts online and mail sales of flavored tobacco to in-state addresses. Out-of-state retailers shipping flavored products to Berkeley risk state Attorney General enforcement.
Are hookah lounges banned in Berkeley?
Existing hookah lounges may continue under nonretail tobacco rules, but Berkeley zoning prohibits new tobacco-focused establishments near schools, parks, and youth-serving uses.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Berkeley

All Berkeley rules

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Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities

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