Nicotine & Commercial Tobacco Policy

Nicotine and Commercial Tobacco Policy Milestones

1988

CA Prop 99 Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act & TRDRP Formation

In November 1988, California voters approved Proposition 99, also known as the California Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988, increasing the tax on cigarettes by 25 cents per pack. California Proposition 99, Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative (1988) Proposition…
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1990

San Luis Obispo, California

In August 1990, the City of San Luis Obispo, California became the nation's first municipality to enact a law prohibiting smoking in all enclosed public places, including all restaurants and bars

1992

California Smokers’ Helpline (Kick It California)

California started the first publicly funded statewide tobacco quitline (Kick It California, formerly California Smokers' Helpline).

1994

Smokefree Workplace Act (Assembly Bill 13)

California's landmark 1994 Smokefree Workplace Act (Assembly Bill 13) was implemented in public and private workplaces and restaurants on January 1, 1995, and in bars on January 1, 1998 to create the first statewide smokefree bar law.

2007

Belmont, California

In November 2007, the City of Belmont, California became the first city in the U.S. to enact a law prohibiting smoking in multiunit housing.

2008

African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC)

The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) was formed in California. Composed of community activists, academics, and public health advocates, the AATCLC has been at the forefront in elevating the regulation of menthol cigarettes and other flavored nicotine and…
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2009

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed into law by President Barak Obama. The Tobacco Control Act gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration broad authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing, sale, and…
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2014

Commercial Tobacco-free Policies

In January 2014, a systemwide smoke and tobacco-free policy (including e-cigarettes) went into effect on all University of California (UC) campuses. In September 2014, the CVS corporation discontinued sales of commercial tobacco at all U.S. locations.

2016

The “Deeming Rule”, Proposition 56, & Age Increase

In May 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended its tobacco regulatory authorities to other products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah. The Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the "Deeming Rule")…
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2017

HUD’s Rule & California State University (CSU)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Rule (RIN 2577-AC97) requiring each Public Housing Authority (PHA) to implement a smoke-free policy that prohibits the use of “prohibited tobacco products” (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, shisha/hookah) in all public housing…
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2018

California Community College (CCC) & San Francisco, CA

In May 2018, a systemwide smoke and tobacco-free policy (including e-cigarettes) went into effect on all California Community College (CCC) campuses. In June 2018, San Francisco voters upheld the first comprehensive prohibition on retail sales of flavored nicotine and commercial…
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2019

Tobacco 21 or T21

On December 20, 2019, U.S. Congress raised the federal minimum legal sales age for nicotine and commercial tobacco products from 18 to 21 years (no exemption for military service members). This law, known as Tobacco 21 or T21, became effective…
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2020

Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General

In January 2020, the U.S. Surgeon General released a new report on smoking cessation (Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General). The report updates and expands on the 1990 report (The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation), outlining latest research…
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2021

FDA Proposal (Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes & Flavored Cigars)

On April 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it had plans to issue a proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars within the year. The announcement came after the African American Tobacco…
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2022

Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes & SB-793

On May 4, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to ban menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars. On November 8, 2022, California voters upheld Senate Bill 793, prohibiting retail…
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2023

Lobbying & Delay

On December 6, 2023, the Biden administration announced that it delayed its decision over whether it will ban menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars following lobbying from tobacco companies, convenience stores, and other tobacco industry-backed groups.

Nicotine & Commercial Tobacco Policy

People Living With HIV who Smoke Face Barriers to Accessing Smoking Cessation Services in Southern California HIV Safety Nets

May 15, 2023

Research Area: Nicotine & Commercial Tobacco Policy

Nicotine and Commercial Tobacco Policy Milestones

Menthol Cigarette Users: An Examination of Menthol Cigarette Use by Gender and Race

Phase II: Assessing Smoking Cessation Services in Central and Northern California HIV Safety Nets

People Living With HIV who Smoke Face Barriers to Accessing Smoking Cessation Services in Southern California HIV Safety Nets

Targeted tobacco marketing in 2020: the case of #BlackLivesMatter

Advancing racial equity and social justice for Black communities in US tobacco control policy

Tobacco Use among Sexual and Gender Minorities and People Living with HIV in California