Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Executive Order Increasing Signage Regulation for Retailers on Vaping Products

Today Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to confront the youth vaping epidemic. The order, among several mandates, impacts the retail industry as it directs the Department of Public Health to develop recommendations to place warning signs at retailers and on product advertisements.

Specifically, the order says the CDPH is directed to develop recommendations to reduce the availability of vaping devices to persons under 21 years of age, which includes the establishment of warning signs about the health risks of vaping at retailers where any vaping product is sold and in any vaping advertisements. This includes increased enforcement regarding sales of vaping products and specifically e-liquid flavors, to youth. In addition, CDPH shall make recommendations regarding the establishment of standards for nicotine content and uniform packaging for purposes of including nicotine content in the calculation of the existing tax on electronic cigarettes. The Department of Public Health shall submit its recommendations to the Governor’s Office by October 14, 2019.