Portland Council Votes To Ban Flavored Tobacco Products: Report

PORTLAND, ME — The Portland City Council on Monday voted unanimously to ban the sale of menthol and other flavored tobacco products in the city, joining more than 300 cities nationwide that have put similar laws in place.

During its Monday meeting, the city council heard more than two hours of public comment asking members to pass the ban.

The ban will take effect on June 1, according to a report by the Portland Press Herald.

According to the new ordinance, a flavored tobacco product is defined as "any tobacco product that imparts a taste or smell, other than the taste or smell of tobacco, either prior to, or during the consumption of, a tobacco product."

The ban applies to any natural or synthetic tobacco or nicotine products, including flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Cannabis products are excluded unless they contain or are derived from tobacco or nicotine.

Portland joins Bangor, which passed a similar ordinance in October. Bangor's ordinance also goes into effect June 1.