According to recent reports from local American media outlet OPB, the Oregon Court of Appeals has temporarily suspended the enforcement of Multnomah County’s ban on retail flavored tobacco and nicotine products. The ban was originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.
Earlier this month, a judge from the Mutonomah County Circuit Court rejected the tobacco industry’s attempt to block the implementation of the regulation. However, these businesses have appealed against this ruling.
In court documents, tobacco retailers argue that the ban would cause irreparable harm to their sales, resulting in employee layoffs and significant loss of revenue. They state that once the regulation comes into effect, some businesses will be forced to shut down.
Multnomah County becomes the second area in Oregon to implement a ban on flavored tobacco products. Washington County, its neighbor, was the first to enact such a regulation, but its ordinance was overturned by different circuit court judges last year.
The purpose of these retail bans is to prevent the use of tobacco by children and adolescents, as health officials suggest it may lead to lifelong nicotine addiction.
