WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a last-minute plea from the tobacco industry and cleared the way for California to enforce a statewide ban on the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.
The court's action has the effect of upholding a measure passed by the Legislature in 2020, which in turn was approved by 63% of voters in November. It is due to take effect next week.
The outcome is a victory for anti-tobacco advocates who called for cracking down on e-cigarettes and eliminating youth-friendly flavors such as bubble gum, cotton candy and cherry that could lure kids to use tobacco.
