Federal Judge Upholds City Ban on Flavored Tobacco & Pricing Ordinances

The Providence Journal:

A federal judge has rebuffed the tobacco industry's legal assault on two city ordinances that further restrict and regulate tobacco sales.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi refused to block the city from imposing a ban on the sale of certain flavored tobacco products, such as candy-flavored snuff, popular with young people.

In her 45-page decision, issued Monday, Lisi also declined to keep Providence from making it illegal for tobacco buyers to benefit from the use of discount coupons. The decision was jubilantly embraced by city officials, who say the new restrictions, established by the city nearly a year ago but never imposed, will dissuade young people from using tobacco products -- the key goal of the ordinances.

Supporters of the new ordinances, including Mayor Angel Taveras, hailed Lisi's decision as a landmark judgment and another step forward in the movement to keep children and young people from getting hooked on tobacco products.

"While we expect an appeal from Big Tobacco, this is an important step toward a healthier city," said Taveras, who lauded in a news release the efforts of the Providence City Council and other key supporters. "I hope today's ruling inspires other communities to follow our lead."

In 2009, the Federal Drug Administration banned flavored cigarettes, with the exception of those with menthol flavor. But other types of flavored tobacco products, such as cigars, cigarillos and dissolvable products, are legal.

They remain popular with young people because of their taste and price, according to Taveras' office.

Research shows that strong public policy and careful oversight of tobacco helps to reduce youth smoking rates, says the release.

Read more here.