Los Angeles County, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Flavors prohibited
- All characterizing flavors including menthol, mint, fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcohol, herbs
- Little cigar/cigarillo minimum pack
- 20 units: cannot be sold individually or in smaller packs
- Pharmacy sales
- Prohibited: no TRL can be issued to or renewed for a pharmacy
- First violation penalty
- License suspension up to 30 days
- Fourth violation within 5 years
- License revocation
- Minimum seller age
- 21 years old
Summary
Los Angeles County prohibits tobacco retailers from selling any flavored tobacco product, including menthol, mint, fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and candy flavors, as well as electronic smoking devices with characterizing flavors.
After 180 days of the effective date of the Ordinance codified in this Chapter, it shall be a violation of this Chapter for a tobacco retailer/licensee or its agent(s) or employee(s) to sell or offer for sale, or to possess with the intent to sell or offer for sale, any flavored tobacco product or any component, part, or accessory intended to impart, or imparting a characterizing flavor in any form, to any tobacco product or nicotine delivery device, including electronic smoking devices. [...] No tobacco retailer/licensee or its agent(s) or employee(s) may sell or offer for sale any little cigar or cigarillo unless it is sold in a package of at least 20 little cigars or cigarillos. Little cigars or cigarillos may not be sold individually or in packages of less than 20 units. [...] No Tobacco Retail License may issue and no existing Tobacco Retail License may be renewed, to authorize tobacco retailing in a pharmacy, including any location with an on-site pharmacy. Each tobacco retailer/licensee and its agent(s) or employee(s) must be over the age of 21 in order to sell tobacco and/or tobacco products.
Full Breakdown
A 'characterizing flavor' means any taste or aroma other than tobacco itself, including menthol, mint, wintergreen, fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, or spice in any form. Little cigars and cigarillos cannot be sold individually or in packages of fewer than 20 units. The ban extends to possessing flavored tobacco with intent to sell. No Tobacco Retail License may be issued to or renewed for a pharmacy.
Violations & Fines
Retailers face license suspension of up to 30 days for a first violation within 5 years, up to 90 days for a second, up to 120 days for a third, and license revocation for a fourth violation within 5 years. The Director may also impose administrative fines. Violations may be charged as a misdemeanor or infraction, and civil injunctions are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the flavor ban include menthol cigarettes?
Can convenience stores sell flavored vape products?
What counts as possessing flavored tobacco 'with intent to sell'?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
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