By Jackson Ellison, ABC 10
December 31, 2025- California has released its first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List, which classifies which tobacco and nicotine products are eligible for sale.
Any tobacco product not on the list is now deemed a flavored product and is banned from being sold in the state.
The California Attorney General was required to create the list under a 2024 state law that looked to refine the definition of flavored tobacco products, which were banned in 2022.
“Safeguarding public health, particularly for our youth, has been and will continue to be a top priority. The Unflavored Tobacco List will help further reduce tobacco use among young people and strengthen accountability for companies and individuals who break our laws,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement.
The list is focused on tobacco and nicotine, as well as e-cigarettes and vapes.
Major manufacturers such as Marlboro, Camel, Juul, and Zyn are all permitted to continue selling in California.
In an information bulletin to local law enforcement agencies tasked with enforcing the ban, the CA Department of Justice said they will initially be focused on “obviously flavored” tobacco products, such as fruit flavors and menthols. The department will also focus on educating manufacturers about the new provisions.
Though the Justice Department warns manufacturers and retailers that products that have not been registered and added to the list can be seized and fines levied.
Several tobacco products are exempt from being on the list, but can still be sold in the state, and that includes hookah products, looseleaf pipe tobacco, and premium cigars.
