A temporary ban on new sales of flavored tobacco and vaping products has moved forward after a unanimous Santa Clarita City Council vote Tuesday night.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Santa Clarita City Council passed a moratorium on new sales of flavored tobacco products for 45 days. After that period, the council is set to revisit the terms of the ban to determine alternatives or a permanent ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, according to City documents.

“Right now, the City does not limit or restrict businesses that sell tobacco products, including flavored tobacco products,” said Joe Montes, attorney for the City of Santa Clarita. “City staff is aware that several existing retailers in the city are selling flavored tobacco products.”

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.

City staff members are concerned that the county regulations in unincorporated areas such as Stevenson Ranch and Castaic would move businesses into Santa Clarita to avoid the new ruling, according to Montes. 

The moratorium allows officials 45 days to examine the effects of flavored tobacco and its prohibition, and then make a more permanent ruling on the matter, according to Montes.

“What it essentially does is, it hits the pause button and preserves the status quo,” Montes said. “What’s proposed tonight is an ordinance that allows existing retailers to retail within the city, but prohibits the establishment of new retail business that would sell flavored tobacco products.”

The 45-day moratorium was approved unanimously by the Santa Clarita City Council, with an order to become effective immediately.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.