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r Providence <br /> March 1, 2022 <br /> The Honorable Vicente Sarmiento, Mayor <br /> Santa Ana City Council <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Re: Flavored Tobacco Products <br /> Dear Mayor Sarmiento and Members of the Santa Ana City Council: <br /> On behalf of Providence, I write to you today to ask that you pass a comprehensive ordinance <br /> ending the sale of all flavored tobacco,including candy flavored e-cigarettes,sweet cigars,menthol <br /> cigarettes and flavored hookah products. <br /> In 2020 Governor Newsom signed into law SB 793,representing a monumental shift towards <br /> achieving a smoke free state and demonstrating the state's efforts to get these products out of our <br /> communities.Unfortunately given the recent qualified referendum,the law to end the sale of <br /> flavored tobacco products will not take effect unless and until approved by voters in the November <br /> 2022 election.As a result,youth candy-flavored tobacco products have remained on the market for <br /> nearly two years to addict young new users. Every day of delay before this law takes effect means <br /> more youth being exposed and susceptible to becoming addicted to tobacco. <br /> Youth are lured by candy flavors in e-cigarettes which has led to nearly 20%of high schoolers using <br /> e-cigarettes nationwide.The original flavored tobacco product,the menthol cigarette,has hooked <br /> youth for far too long. Hookah products are also available in a variety of fruit and candy flavors,and <br /> they are increasingly popular with youth. From 2011 to 2015,hookah use among high school and <br /> middle school students rose by more than 50%.The rapid expansion of hookah means that more <br /> retailers will sell to kids. Offering any sort of exemption only opens and increases young people's <br /> access to these dangerous and addictive products. <br /> For these reasons I urge the City Council to enact a strong ordinance that ends the sale of flavored <br /> tobacco products.Your actions will protect many Santa Ana youth from a lifetime of tobacco <br /> addiction. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to continue working with you and the <br /> City of Santa Ana on ways to improve public health for its residents. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Jordan Abushawish <br /> Director of Public Affairs <br />