Sonoma, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SMC 7.25.020(H)
- Covers vapes?
- Yes, electronic smoking devices included
- Cigar exception
- Packs of 5+ or single cigar over $5
- Also exempt
- Pipe tobacco, snuff/chew packs of 5+
- Adopted
- Ord. 04-2015, amended Ord. 04-2022
Summary
The City of Sonoma bars licensed tobacco retailers from selling flavored tobacco, including fruit, dessert and spice flavors, under Sonoma Municipal Code Section 7.25.020(H). Narrow exceptions cover multi-cigar packs, premium cigars over $5, pipe tobacco, and larger snuff or chewing-tobacco packages.
H. Flavored Tobacco Products. No tobacco retailer shall sell a tobacco product containing, as a constituent or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or smoke produced by the tobacco product unless (1) the tobacco product consists of a package of cigars that contains at least five cigars or more, or (2) a single cigar for which the retail price exceeds $5.00, or (3) the tobacco product consists of pipe tobacco, or (4) the package of chewing tobacco or snuff contains at least five units or more.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025).
Full Breakdown
25 regulating the manner of sale of tobacco products, prohibits any licensed tobacco retailer from selling a tobacco product containing an artificial or natural flavor other than tobacco, or an herb or spice, that acts as a characterizing flavor of the product or its smoke. 010(K) expressly includes electronic smoking devices. 00, pipe tobacco, and packages of chewing tobacco or snuff containing at least five units. 020(I) separately bans selling single cigars below that $5 threshold or breaking open manufacturer packaging to sell fewer cigars than it was designed to hold. 25 violations.
Violations & Fines
Selling flavored tobacco in violation of Section 7.25.020(H) is a violation of Chapter 7.25 and exposes a licensee to the escalating suspension schedule in Section 7.25.110(A): 30 days for a first violation at a location, 90 days for a second, one year for a third, and revocation for a fourth within any 60-month period. The city attorney can also bring a civil action carrying a fine of not less than $250.00 and not more than $1,000 per violation under Section 7.25.130(C), and each flavored item offered for sale counts as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are flavored vapes banned in the City of Sonoma?
Can I still buy a flavored cigar in Sonoma?
Is flavored pipe tobacco banned in Sonoma?
What happens to a store caught selling banned flavored tobacco?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
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Flavored Tobacco Bans in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle flavored tobacco bans.