Santa Rosa, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 6-20.040
- Adopted
- Ord. 2024-010, effective 8/6/2024
- Scope
- All flavored tobacco, all licensed retailers
- Enforcing agency
- Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services / Code Enforcement
- First-violation fine
- Up to $400 per item/day
- Third-violation penalty
- Up to $1,200 plus license revocation
Summary
Santa Rosa bans the sale of any flavored tobacco product, including menthol cigarettes, flavored vape liquid, and flavored cigars, by every licensed tobacco retailer citywide. City Code Section 6-20.040, adopted by Ordinance 2024-010, treats retailer marketing claims of a cooling, minty, or fruity effect as proof the product is flavored.
It shall be unlawful for any tobacco retailer to sell any flavored tobacco product. Any communication by or on behalf of the manufacturer or retailer of a tobacco product that such tobacco product imparts a taste or odor other than the taste or odor of tobacco, or that imparts a cooling or numbing sensation, constitutes presumptive evidence that the tobacco product is a flavored tobacco product. This includes, but is not limited to, public statements that a product has a minty or cooling effect, such as describing the product as "chill," "ice," "fresh," "arctic," or "frost."
Full Breakdown
020 as one with a taste or odor other than tobacco, such as fruit, chocolate, mint, menthol, or spice, or one producing a cooling or numbing sensation. The chapter treats retailer or manufacturer statements describing a product as "chill," "ice," "fresh," "arctic," or "frost" as presumptive evidence of an illegal flavored product, closing off marketing workarounds. 030, which also sets the minimum sale age at 21, bans self-service tobacco displays, and requires photo ID for every sale. 045, goes further and bans retail sale of electronic smoking devices outright, so flavored vape liquid is doubly prohibited in Santa Rosa regardless of flavor.
020, and the City Code Enforcement Division administer compliance checks and license discipline. 160 of up to $400 for a first violation, $900 for a second violation within 60 months, and $1,200 for a third violation within 60 months, which also triggers automatic license revocation; total fines per enforcement instance are capped at $10,000. 160(F). A hearing officer may waive first-violation penalties if the retailer admits the violation in writing, except this leniency never applies to youth-access violations. 260.
Violations & Fines
First violation: administrative fine up to $400 per flavored item or day of sale. Second violation within 60 months: up to $900. Third violation within 60 months: up to $1,200 plus mandatory license revocation. Total fines per instance capped at $10,000; violations are also declared public nuisances under Section 6-20.160(E).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are menthol cigarettes covered by Santa Rosa's flavor ban?
Can a store sell flavored vape liquid in Santa Rosa?
What happens if a retailer is caught selling a flavored product?
Can a retailer appeal a license revocation for a flavor-ban violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle flavored tobacco bans.