Kansas City council postpones vote on menthol tobacco ban [Video]

Following a national trend of proposed bans on menthol or flavored tobacco products, the Kansas City Council postponed a vote Thursday afternoon to disallow local businesses from selling such products as of Jan. 1, 2025.This ordinance and the debate surrounding it will be discussed and voted on in the Council Subcommittee in two weeks.Five city council members sponsored the ordinance that prohibits “the sale of flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products within the city.” The Council began its effort to ban menthol cigarettes only over a year ago, which proved unsuccessful and was voted down at that time. Today’s vote to ban came as a shock to local business owners.”We’re going to lose 25 to 35% of sales,” said FavTrip gas station owner Babir Sultan. “We don’t sell lottery or liquor. My livelihood depends on this business.” He pointed to a glass case full of rows of vaping products with …