San Benito County, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine
- $250 per violation
- Covers
- cigarettes, vapes, cigars, menthol
- Geographic scope
- countywide, incl. Hollister
- Adopted
- Ord. 1044, 2022
Summary
San Benito County bans tobacco retailers from selling any flavored tobacco product, including menthol and vape flavors, across both the incorporated and unincorporated county.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any tobacco retailer or any of the tobacco retailer's agents or employees to sell or offer for sale any flavored tobacco product within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
Under San Benito County Code § 7.13.004(A), no tobacco retailer or its agents or employees may sell or offer for sale any flavored tobacco product: one that imparts a taste or aroma other than tobacco itself, such as menthol, mint, fruit, candy, or dessert flavors. Adopted by Ord. 1044 in 2022, the ban applies within both unincorporated San Benito County and inside Hollister and San Juan Bautista, per the ordinance's own text. A rebuttable presumption that a product is flavored arises from a retailer's own marketing claims or packaging.
Violations & Fines
Selling or offering for sale a flavored tobacco product is an infraction; the county issues an administrative citation and a $250 fine per violation, and each retailer answers for its employees' sales (§ 7.13.005).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the flavored tobacco ban apply inside Hollister and San Juan Bautista?
What flavors are banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
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