A new tobacco ordinance will go into effect Friday in unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County.
The goal of the ordinance is to keep tobacco out of the hands of Santa Barbara County youth. According to the 2017-2018 California Student Tobacco survey, 86% of young tobacco users reported using flavored tobacco products.
The ordinance prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products. Only products that are unflavored or tobacco flavored will be allowed to be sold in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. The ordinance covers e-cig and vaping products as well as traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and chewing tobacco.
Prices will go up for cigarettes, cigars, and little cigars and will also come in bigger packs. For example, little cigars must be sold in a pack of at least 20 little cigars for a price of at least $10 a pack.
Coupons, discounts, or deals will no longer be allowed on any tobacco products.
Also, the online purchase and delivery of any flavored tobacco product will be restricted.
