Top Stories

Sacramento's Latest News

 

Abortion & Flavored Tobacco: The Two Laws That Take Effect Today

Photo: Getty Images

Two historical legislative efforts are taking effect today in the Golden State that will impact the lives of millions of people. One is for California's constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom. The amendment was approved by voters in November and Governor Gavin Newsom signed Proposition 1 into law. The push for the law to become a state constitutional amendment comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly six months ago, which protected the right to an abortion for decades. Governor Newsom says Californians and Americans deserve the right to abortion access and has enshrined that right in the state constitution. California is one of the first states to proction abortion rights in it's constitution since the overturning of Roe. vs. Wade.

The second is a statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products. The ban was voted in as Proposition 31 and was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November. It will prohibit the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes in the state. The American Heart Association calls this legislation a "landmark step in the battle against the tobacco industry’s cynical business model that markets candy flavored tobacco products to kids and communities of color". Meanwhile, the maker of Newport menthol cigarettes and vaping products, R. J. Reynolds, is suing the state over the ban. CNBC reports that the lawsuit argues that local and state governments do not have the right to challenge federal law under the Tobacco Control Act, which gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco. They sued in an attempt to stop the implementation of the ban, but was reject by the U.S. Supreme Court, allowing the ban to take effect. Sacramento County has banned flavored tobacco since 2020.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content