Long Beach, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- CA SB 793
- Voter approval
- Proposition 31, 2022
- Menthol cigarettes
- Banned
- License chapter
- LBMC 5.40
Summary
California Senate Bill 793, upheld by voters as Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes and flavored vape liquids. Long Beach enforces the ban through tobacco retailer licensing.
"Characterizing flavor" means a taste or odor, distinguishable by an ordinary consumer either prior to or during the consumption of a tobacco product, other than the taste or odor of tobacco, including, but not limited to, tastes or odors relating to any fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, menthol, mint, wintergreen, herb, or spice, or a cooling sensation distinguishable by an ordinary consumer during the consumption of a tobacco product. ... "Flavored tobacco product" means any tobacco product that contains a constituent that imparts a characterizing flavor.
Full Breakdown
California Senate Bill 793 (2020), codified in Health and Safety Code Section 104559.5, prohibits retailers from selling flavored tobacco products such as menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored e-cigarette liquids. Voters affirmed the law as Proposition 31 in November 2022. Limited exemptions exist for hookah at age-restricted establishments, premium cigars priced above the statutory threshold, and pipe tobacco. Long Beach Environmental Health enforces alongside tobacco retailer license compliance checks under LBMC Chapter 5.40 (Tobacco Retailers Licensing). Repeat violations trigger escalating license suspensions up to revocation. The state Department of Public Health investigates manufacturer-side violations.
Violations & Fines
Sale of flavored tobacco can result in fines starting at two hundred fifty dollars under HSC 104559.5, escalating to over one thousand dollars per violation, plus suspension or revocation of the Long Beach tobacco retailer license under LBMC 5.40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hookah lounges still serve flavored tobacco?
Are flavored synthetic nicotine products covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
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Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle flavored tobacco bans.