​​What products do the laws apply to?

The sale of these types flavored tobacco products are prohibited:

• Flavored e-cigarettes or vapes that deliver nicotine or another vaporized liquid, e-juice, pods, or cartridges
• Menthol cigarettes and products that produce a cooling sensation
• Flavored little cigars and cigarillos
• Flavored smokeless tobacco products
• Flavored blunt wraps
• Flavored loose-leaf roll-your-own tobacco
• Flavored tobacco rolling papers
• Tobacco product flavor enhancers
  
• Synthetic nicotine products
  
• Nicotine analogs and alkaloids​
  

Once the UTL is published on or before December 31, 2025, any tobacco product not appearing on the UTL will be considered an illegal flavored product.

The law does not apply to:

• Flavored premium cigars with a wholesale price of $12 or more
• Flavored loose-leaf pipe tobacco
• Flavored shisha/hookah tobacco may only be sold in licensed stores that only allow people 21 or older on the premises at any time.

Who does the law apply to?

Retailers in California are prohibited from possessing flavored tobacco products with the intent to sell, even if orders are placed online and picked up in person. The state law applies to retail sales of flavored tobacco products:

• From a building where tobacco products are sold at retail,
• From any vending machine, vehicle, mobile unit, booth, stand, or concession that conducts in-person sales of tobacco products directly to the public. (Health and Safety Code Section 104559.5 (a)(13))
• Online
• Through remote delivery

Licensed retailers must also operate in accordance with all state or local laws relating to the sale of tobacco and consumption of tobacco on the premises (for hookah retailers that permit consumption of tobacco on the premises).

Delivery and online sellers must operate in accordance will all state and local laws that apply to local retailers where the products are shipped. More restrictive local tobacco laws also apply to delivery and online sellers conducting sales in that jurisdiction.

Local jurisdictions may have more restrictive laws than the state law. It is the retailer’s responsibility to know and comply with all federal, state, and local laws regarding the sale and distribution of​ tobacco products.

Once the UTL is published, sales of products not appearing on the UTL will not be allowed for sale in California by retailers, wholesalers, distributors, or delivery sellers.​

​​New and updated penalties for retailers not in compliance with the law.

Table 1 defines Civil Penalties for Retailers and Wholesalers Selling Illegal Flavored Tobacco Products

Table 1 

Table 2 defines Civil Penalties for Distributors and Wholesalers Selling Illegal Flavored Tobacco Products

Table 2

​

Table 3 defines​ Increased Civil Penalties for Retail Violations - STAKE Act and Illegal Flavored Tobacco Sales​

Table 3

​

​​Who to contact with enforcement questions or to report potential violations of the state flavored tobacco products sales law.

If you suspect a retailer sells tobacco products to anyone under age 21 (in violation of the STAKE Act),  please call 1-800-5-ASK-4-ID (800-527-5443) or email the Office of Youth Tobacco Enforcement (OYTE) at OYTE@cdph.ca.gov.

If you suspect a retailer sells illegal flavored tobacco products or is violating licensing or tax laws, visit CDTFA’s​ website ​or call CDTFA at: 1-888-334-3300.

Retailer Information and Resources 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

​California Law Updates: Unflavored Tobacco List and Enforcement of the Flavored Tobacco Products Law Fact Sheet 2025 (PDF)

This document provides information on how the new laws taking effect January 1, 2025 impact retailers, wholesalers and delivery sellers.​

Letter to Retailers from the CDPH Health Director and State Health Officer 2023 (PDF)​​​​​

The letter to retailers from CDPH Direct​or provides a summary to retailers, wholesalers and distributors, a reminder that California law prohibits the sale of most flavored tobacco products at the retail level, and references to additional materials to help retailers comply. 

​Estimado minorista/mayorista/distribuidor de tabaco (PDF) 

Frequ​ently Asked Questions (FAQ): California’s Flavored Tobacco Products Retail Law Updated January (PDF) ​​​

This document responds to questions retailers may have about changes to state flavored tobacco sales laws.​
Preguntas frecuentes (FAQ): Ley de venta minorista de productos de tabaco saborizados de California (PDF)  ​

California’s Flavored Tobacco Products Retail Law (Fact Sheet 2023, PDF)​

This document provides information on how the law affects retailers.​

La ley de California actualiza la aplicación de la Ley de productos de tabaco saborizados en establecimientos minoristas, Sección 104559.5 del Código de Salud y Seguridad (PDF) 

​Quitting Tobacco Resources

Help others quit smoking and vaping tobacco products.

For free quit help, visit kickitca.org.   

Learn more about the new law

• For more information about the new law, go to UNDO.org.
  

Media Inquiries

• For media inquiries about the new law, contact Media@cdph.ca.gov.​