Los Angeles, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Operative date
- January 1, 2023
- Prohibited flavor examples
- Menthol, fruit, mint, wintergreen, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, dessert, herb, spice, alcoholic beverage
- Exception
- Shisha at hookah lounges/bars with valid pre-July 2022 permits
- Presumptive evidence rule
- Manufacturer/retailer's public claim of non-tobacco taste counts as proof
- Code section
- LAMC § 46.90.1
Summary
Los Angeles prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or possession with intent to sell any flavored tobacco product (including menthol, fruit, mint, chocolate, and similar non-tobacco tastes) at any permitted tobacco retail location, effective January 1, 2023.
SEC. 46.90(d). "Flavored Tobacco Product" shall mean any Tobacco Product that imparts a taste or smell, other than the taste or smell of tobacco, that is distinguishable by an ordinary consumer either prior to, or during the consumption of, a Tobacco Product, including, but not limited to, any taste or smell relating to fruit, menthol, mint, wintergreen, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, honey, molasses, or any candy, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, or spice...
SEC. 46.90.1. FLAVORED TOBACCO SALES PROHIBITED.
(a) ...It shall be unlawful to Sell or offer for Sale, or possess with the intent to Sell, any Flavored Tobacco Product at a permitted Tobacco Retailing location.
(b) Exceptions: The Sale of Shisha, Shisha Tobacco and Shisha Tobacco Products, which qualify as Flavored Tobacco Products, is permissible at any Hookah Lounge with a valid Tobacco Retailer's Permit that was issued pursuant to Section 46.91 of this Code on or before the effective date of this section.
(c) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2023.
Full Breakdown
The prohibition covers all tobacco products that impart a distinguishable taste or smell other than tobacco itself, including fruit, menthol, mint, wintergreen, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, honey, molasses, candy, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, and spice flavors. A public statement by the manufacturer or retailer that the product has a non-tobacco taste is presumptive evidence that the product is flavored. The only exception is shisha tobacco sold at qualifying hookah lounges and specified bars that held valid Tobacco Retailer's Permits on or before July 16, 2022 (the ordinance's effective date).
Violations & Fines
Violations are subject to LAMC § 11.00 penalties and the administrative permit suspension/revocation schedule in § 46.99: 30-day suspension (1st violation in 5 years), 90-day (2nd), 120-day (3rd), permit revocation (4th). Each day of possession with intent to sell constitutes a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are menthol cigarettes still sold legally in Los Angeles?
Can a hookah lounge still sell flavored shisha?
Does the flavor ban cover flavored vaping liquids?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles 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.