Groups in Phoenix continue to push for citywide bans on flavored tobacco products that they believe appeals to kids. Furthermore they state that flavored cigarettes promotions (ex: billboards) focus on Black, low-income communities, harming the health of minorities.

For further background, in November of 2021 E-cigarette manufacturer Juul settled a consumer fraud lawsuit by agreeing to pay Arizona $14.5 million. The settlement prohibited Juul from advertising their products, which they had already ceased before the settlement was reached. Juul has been accused of consumer fraud in their advertising campaigns. Juul suggests that their products are a safer alternative to cigarettes because they do not create potentially carcinogenic smoke. Still, the ads downplay the fact that e-cigarettes are highly addictive due in part to their nicotine content. 

The Juul lawsuit was inspired at least in part by an ordinance proposed in the Phoenix City Council in 2020. The Flavors Hook Kids Phoenix coalition released a poll in September 2020 revealing that three-quarters of Arizona voters were concerned about young adults smoking #cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Nearly two-thirds of those polled said they would vote to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products. 

Some Phoenix business owners oppose banning e-cigarette products. They say a ban will hurt their sales tremendously, so they suggest educating consumers and retailers would be a far better solution than an outright ban. Other also say that a ban conflate the vape and tobacco industries, without thinking of ban's impact on Arab business owners and hookah users, and unintended consequences such as fueling a black market.

The question up for debate: Should Phoenix ban the sale of #flavoredcigarettes and similar products?