Ordinance banning or restricting flavored tobacco sales being discussed in Hollister

Smoke shop owners in Hollister are on the defensive as city leaders discuss a possible ban or restriction on the sale of flavored tobacco products across the city.

This comes as the state has already put forth a similar proposal, which the city says they’re keeping a close eye on.

No decision has been made on the topic in Hollister, but the city says it plans on forming a committee which would provide further discussion and input in the future.

“Their general consensus is that they’d like to hear from everybody before they draft an ordinance that may or may not regulate flavored tobacco,” says Hollister City Manager, Bill Avera.

Meanwhile one smoke shop owner says about 30% of her sales depend on the sale of flavored tobacco products.

“It’s up to the city but I don’t think there’s anything wrong now,” says Lucia Delia with “Smoker’s Paradise” in Hollister. “A lot of people I know have quit smoking because of e-cigarettes.”

In its preliminary report the city has heard from the city’s youth who have said they want the city to make its decision based on the health of young individuals in the city.

Those adult vapers say they want to be able to purchase flavored tobacco products within the city.

Any future meeting on a possible flavored tobacco ordinance willl take place Feb. 18th.

Original Story:

Another city is in talks to possibly ban or restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products. This time in Hollister where city leaders discussed the idea during a council meeting this week.

The city plans on forming a committee which would provide further discussion in the future.

City leaders say they want to take their time so they can hear from smoke shop owners and concerned community members.

KION’s Victor Guzman is live this morning after hearing from a smoke shop owner in Hollister who says her business would lose 30% in sales if an outright ban were to be in place.

Details on what the city is saying is all in Victor’s report on Wake Up at 6 and 6:30 am on KION.