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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Weeks of discussion with the community and business owners led up to Columbus City Council voting unanimously Monday to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products within city limits.
The legislation will take effect January 1st, 2024.
It includes vaping products and menthol cigarettes, with health officials saying they target teens and the black community.
Columbus Public Health Director, Dr. Mysheika Roberts, says, "One in four Columbus adult residents smoke. 39% of all adult Columbus smokers are black. One in three adult blacks in Columbus smoke."
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also supported the ban.
Business owners argued they can not continue to stay open with a ban in effect. The original piece of legislation originally included hookah products and hookah bars, but that was removed shortly before the vote.