“Vape shop, liquor store, convenience store, and hookah lounge owners in Tempe breathed a sigh of relief Friday after the city announced that it will no longer target a ban on flavored nicotine products. The City Council has been considering an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco and vapes since August. But the proposal has come under fire for a host of problems: conflating the vape and tobacco industries, factual errors, its impact on Arab business owners and hookah users, and unintended consequences such as fueling a black market. After Friday’s public hearing, the council’s Human Services and Community Safety Committee said it’s shifting focus toward “establishing a tobacco seller’s license and fees to ensure compliance.””
ARTICLE LINK: Tempe Swaps Controversial Flavored Tobacco Ban for Seller’s License
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