DC Council Votes to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

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DC Council Votes to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

Jun 30, 2021, 08:10 AM by MSDC Staff

The MSDC supported bill prohibits the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored smoking devices.

In a win for public health, the District Council voted yesterday to approve legislation banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. The legislation is expected to be signed by Mayor Bowser.

B24-20, the Flavored Electronic Smoking Device Prohibition Amendment Act, prohibits the sale or distribution of all flavored electronic smoking devices in DC. The ban includes menthol cigarettes, and candy- and fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. The bill only criminalizes the sale and not the use of these products, to ensure residents are not harassed but instead the product companies can be prohibited from targeting residents.

This was the final reading of the legislation, which moves it to the Mayor's office for consideration. An amendment to the bill made yesterday prohibits the police from enforcing the legislation without a prior request for assistance from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

DC becomes the second state behind Massachusetts to ban menthol cigarettes. The final vote was 8-5 in favor.

MSDC's Board voted a position of "support" for this bill earlier this year. MSDC remains concerned that flavored smoking devices are tools to increase nicotine addiction, and could increase smoking rates especially among young District residents. You can see all bills before the Council that MSDC is tracking here.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.