The Rise of Nicotine Restrictions: Impact of Flavor Bans

Many states and localities are implementing restrictions on nicotine-based products, particularly flavored ones. The focus is on banning flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored tobacco products. Massachusetts, for example, passed a comprehensive ban on all forms of flavored tobacco in 2019. However, these bans have led to unintended consequences such as illicit markets and increased cross-border sales. In Massachusetts, tax revenues from tobacco fell by about 20% following the ban, while neighboring states experienced an increase. It's important to note that although flavor bans do not have direct criminal penalties, they interact with existing tax laws, making transportation of banned products a felony in many cases.