A flavored vape ban is set to be discussed by the Santa Clarita City Council next week, officials said.

The proposed ban, for all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, comes at the heels of a similar move by Los Angeles County.

On Oct, 1 the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance that requires tobacco retailers in unincorporated areas of the county to obtain a business license, as well as a Tobacco Retailers License, according to the agenda.

The ordinance also prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vaping products, beginning 180 days from the effective date of the county ordinance, City officials said.

The Los Angeles city attorney recently submitted a report to the Los Angeles City Council recommending a ban on flavored tobacco products, according to the agenda.

The report describes the results of a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institutes of Health, the Federal Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, which found that the vast majority of youth who self-reported ever experimenting with a tobacco product reported that they started with a flavored tobacco product, according to City officials.

“City of Santa Clarita staff has met with representatives of the (Los Angeles) County Sheriff’s Department to begin to explore the extent of the issues of youth vaping and smoking in Santa Clarita,” the agenda reads.

City staff also intends to reach out to representatives of the various school districts in the Santa Clarita Valley to evaluate these issues, according to the agenda.

Currently, the City of Santa Clarita does not limit or restrict businesses selling tobacco products, including flavored tobacco products, and City staff members are aware that several existing retailers in the city are selling flavored tobacco products, according to officials.

“City staff is concerned that during this period of research and study, the County’s ordinance could have the effect of causing tobacco retailers in the county to relocate to Santa Clarita to avoid the new county regulations,” City officials said.

The potential for additional retailers to proliferate in the city while City staff explores the scope of the health issues and possible legislative solutions presents an immediate threat to the health and welfare of the city’s residents—especially youth in the city, according to the agenda.

Adoption of this ordinance as a temporary urgency interim zoning regulation would preserve the status quo in the city and afford sufficient time for City staff to present more permanent options for the Santa Clarita City Council’s consideration, officials said.

As an urgency ordinance, the proposed ban would take effect immediately, but only last for 45 days. If adopted, it is set to return within 45 days at a public hearing for the council to consider an extension of up to a year from the date of the adoption of this ordinance, according to the agenda.

The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to vote on the proposed ban on Tuesday during their regular meeting at City Hall.

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