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[COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR] ORDINANCE NO. 240897

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Sponsor: Mayor Pro Tem Ryanna Parks-Shaw
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

Amending Chapter 20, Code of Ordinances, entitled "Cigarettes," by renaming it "Tobacco and Nicotine;" repealing Sections 20-1, 20-2, 20-8, 20-18, and 20-19 and replacing them with sections of like number and subject matter; enacting a new Section 20-4, "Sale or distribution of flavored products prohibited," and new Section 20-5, "Medical and recreational marijuana exempt,"; and amending Chapter 50, Code of Ordinances by repealing Section 50-235 and replacing it with a section of like number and subject matter for the purpose of prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products within the City.

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WHEREAS, scientific review by the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found marketing of menthol cigarettes likely increases the prevalence of smoking among the entire population, and especially among youth, African Americans, and possibly Hispanic and Latino individuals; and

WHEREAS, 15.3% of adults in Missouri smoke; and

WHEREAS, 21.3% of Missouri high school students report currently using e-cigarettes; and

WHEREAS, although smokers are most likely to use electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes, almost a third of current adult users are nonsmokers, suggesting that e-cigarettes contribute to primary nicotine addiction and to the renormalization of tobacco use; and

WHEREAS, youth reported product flavoring as a top reason for using tobacco within the past 30 days; and

WHEREAS, by adding menthol and other flavorings to tobacco and nicotine products, companies mask the natural harshness and taste of such products, and therefore make it easier to use, harder to quit, and more appealing to youth and new users; and

WHEREAS, the addition of menthol and other fl...

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