Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Ohio

18th November 2024: US - Ohio: Columbus city attorney Zach Klein is suing a tobacco retailer for alleged repeated under-age tobacco sales and sales of flavoured tobacco that violate city law. “This case exemplifies why it’s important for local health departments to monitor compliance with tobacco regulations,” said Klein. “This isn’t something we should ask law enforcement to spend limited resources on,” he added. Columbus is the capital of Ohio and has a population of more than 900,000.
11th April 2024: US - Ohio: A coalition of 14 cities in Ohio has filed a lawsuit challenging the state law that prevents cities and counties from enacting tobacco regulations that are stricter than the state’s. The plaintiffs claim the law violates Ohio’s constitution, specifically a line that says cities “have the authority to exercise all powers of local self-government and to adopt and enforce within their limits such local police, sanitary and other similar regulations, as are not in conflict with general laws”. The pre-emption law was passed by the state’s General Assembly as part of its budget proposal, and then vetoed for a second time by governor Mike DeWine before the General Assembly voted to override the veto in January. The case seeks a temporary injunction to keep the ban from going into effect on 24th April.
26th January 2024: US - Ohio: Local governments in Ohio cannot enact tobacco and nicotine rules, meaning that those regulations must come from the state level. On 24th January, the Ohio Senate voted to override governor Mike DeWine’s veto on a provision prohibiting local governments from enacting regulations on the sale of tobacco – including the banning of flavoured vaping products. In January 2023, DeWine vetoed a similar pre-emption law that was passed in December 2022. But because the governor issued his veto after the state legislature had ended its session, lawmakers were prevented from overriding the veto. DeWine is a Republican who supports restrictions on vaping products and has backed efforts to pass a statewide ban on flavoured vapes.
3rd April 2023: US - Ohio: Public opinion is split over Cleveland's proposed tobacco product flavour ban. On the one hand, the argument in favour of the ban states that statistics show that menthol is being marketed to marginalised groups, while on the other hand, those against the ban believe it will just send the sales to other retailers outside the city limits or even to the illicit market.
13th February 2023: US - Ohio: The Cleveland City Council is considering a city-wide ban on the sale of flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and menthol tobacco. In December 2022, a bill to ban local governments from outlawing the sale of flavoured tobacco products was approved by both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly; however, governor Mike DeWine vetoed the measure. Cleveland has a population of around 360,000.
10th January 2023: US - Ohio: Following governor Mike DeWine’s veto of a state bill that would have prohibited local governments from enacting laws to prevent the sale of flavoured tobacco products, a council member in Cincinnati is considering introducing a flavour ban, due to her concern about flavoured products being marketed to youth. “I think that that’s just wrong,” council member Victoria Parks said. “You know, causing addiction and death.” Cincinnati is a city with a population of around 300,000.
9th January 2023: US - Ohio: Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 513 last Thursday (5th January), which would have prevented political subdivisions such as cities from banning or regulating the sale of flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. He also mentioned that he would support a statewide ban on flavoured tobacco.
19th December 2022: US - Ohio: Governor Mike DeWine has hinted that he may veto House Bill 513, which would prevent political subdivisions such as cities from banning or regulating the sale of flavoured cigarettes and flavoured e-cigarettes. Specifically, the bill states that the regulation of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products is a matter of general statewide concern that requires statewide regulation.
14th December 2022: US - Ohio: Columbus City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance banning the sale of flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and menthol tobacco. The ban will come into effect on 1st January 2024, allowing businesses a year to clear existing stock. The ordinance does not apply to the sale of flavoured shisha. Columbus is the Ohio state capital, with a population of over 900,000.
25th November 2022: US - Ohio: Columbus City Council is debating a ban on flavoured tobacco products, which would include e-cigarettes and menthol tobacco products, news reports. The ordinance provides civil penalties and makes it a violation for any tobacco retailer to sell e-cigarettes and flavoured tobacco products. Columbus is the capital of Ohio, with a population of around 900,000.
3rd November 2022: US - Ohio: Last week, the Columbus City Council met with business owners to discuss a potential ban on flavoured tobacco, which would also include flavoured e-cigarettes and menthol products, according to local news. The idea came out of a Columbus Public Health study, which signalled that minority communities are being targeted by tobacco shops, especially regarding menthol flavoured products. In the meeting, many spoke out against the proposed ban, especially vape shop owners, though it was also supported by several others, among them doctors and a middle school teacher. Columbus is the capital of Ohio, with a population of around 900,000.

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