Proposed ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAB 1690
Proposed Legslationa could change the course of the cigarette industry in California.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAB 1690 Addresses Cigarette Filters and Other Cigarette-Related Items
A new proposed ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñbill entitled the , introduced by , seeks to ban all such as cigarette filters, cigarette-related items, including cigarette papers and vape pods in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñto reduce the amount of hazardous material from being exposed to the environment. aims to reduce their impact on public health and the environment. Discarded non-biodegradable smoking and vaping products have been an issue for many years, causing great harm to many ecosystems and humans with the many . In California, roughly are sold every year, with the city of Los Angeles spending and "public agencies spending more than for cigarette filters alone."
The bill would to a person of any age in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïña cigarette/e-cigarette that uses single-use products such as the filter and disposable vape pods. People or entities that violate the law can be subject to civil penalties ranging from $400 to $600 for a first violation, up to $5,000 to $6,000 for the 5th violation within a 5-year period. However, this issue is complex since the public's relationship with cigarettes and other electronic products would be difficult to change with the bill alone. According to , "[w]e never could get it out of the [Governmental Organization] committee here in the Legislature." , and it would be a matter of these individuals to look past their own needs and desires and act for the greater good. While many support the bill, its passage is pending.
For a detailed summary of Assembly Bill 1690 and supporters of the bill, see .
