The city of Columbus is currently debating on banning the retail sale of flavored tobacco and vapor products and has hosted a series of public meetings and virtual hearings to allow all sides an opportunity to present the ramifications of such bans.

While the legislation is laudable in that it attempts to address youth use of age-restricted products, it fails to recognize the significant declines in youth cigarette and e-cigarette use, nor the reasons why kids are using e-cigarettes to begin with. Further, the legislation not only ignores the potential for e-cigarettes as a direct substitute to traditional cigarettes but would severely stunt adult access to these products, [...]