Berkeley, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (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.
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?
Are hookah lounges banned in Berkeley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley
California rules heatmap·Compare Berkeley to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
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Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle flavored tobacco bans.