COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 513 this week. The bill, experts say, would have blocked local governments from banning flavored tobacco products within their communities.
In November, the Columbus City Council began the process of banning all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, within the city limits. In December, the city council unanimously approved the measure.
HB 513 saw overwhelming support from Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly. While Democrats sided with Governor DeWine.
“We’re seeing more young people vape because of the enticing flavors available, which leads them to becoming addicted. That’s why I vetoed HB 513, which would have prohibited local governments from enacting laws to discourage the use of tobacco,” said DeWine.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, “in 2022, about 1 in 10 or more than 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.”
DeWine has said that he would not necessarily oppose a statewide ban.