Kansas City Council Pushes Pause on Flavor Ban

The Kansas City Council postponed an Oct. 10 vote on a proposed ban on selling flavored nicotine products in Kansas City.

The ban, if passed, is tentatively set to take effect the first of the year.

At the council meeting, many said the ban, introduced less than a week ago, is being rushed.

Some local retailers say they want council members to vote against the ban, citing that around 35% of their income is based on these sales. They say the financial effects could be devastating because sales support both the local economy and employee salaries, according to media reports.

The council held its first reading on the proposed ban on Oct. 3, the first many retailers said they’d heard of these plans to outlaw the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Retailers claim the rushed process is disrespectful because the city failed to provide time for those impacted to voice their concerns. The city council is also aware of the significant tax revenue lost if this ban is passed. The ban would move sales to nearby cities where flavored tobacco remains legal.

A vote on the ban in currently scheduled for late October.