California’s Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 8 voted unanimously to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county.
“This is a momentous day that builds on the work our community has been doing for generations to protect our environment and establish Santa Cruz County as a global leader in the environmental movement,” Board of Supervisors Chair Justin Cummings said. “While the county is the first to take this step, by no means will we be the last. We look forward to working with local cities and other jurisdictions to protect our coast, our environment and our people.”
The county said the vote was developed by the Tobacco Waste Ad Hoc Subcommittee and supported by a broad coalition of environmental, health, educational and other groups and stakeholders.
The sale of unfiltered cigarettes, cigars, loose-leaf and chewing tobacco, unflavored vape pens or other tobacco products will not be prohibited, according to a statement from the Santa Cruz County Board. The county said the ordinance will go into effect January 1, 2027, or when two other local jurisdictions pass similar prohibitions, whichever is later.
The board said the tobacco waste ad hoc subcommittee has been coordinating with other local jurisdictions, two of which have followed the county by declaring tobacco waste a threat to public health and the environment.
“Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet, they provide absolutely no health benefit to smokers, and they are poisonous to the environment. Let's ban this toxic trash,” Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig said.
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