Washington County’s board voted to ban flavored tobacco products – like menthol cigarettes and vape products – becoming the first county in the state to implement such a ban.

The county’s board of commissioners voted 3 to 2 on Tuesday to pass Ordinance 878, which bans the sale of any flavored tobacco or synthetic nicotine product in any store.

The ordinance will go into effect in 30 days, however, it will not be enforced until January 1, 2022.

Washington County’s new ordinance also prohibits sale of any tobacco or synthetic nicotine to anyone under 21 years old, and bars stores from offering coupons, discounts or price promotions for any tobacco sold.

Violations could land businesses a Class A civil infraction.

“The Board heard compelling evidence that restricting access of flavored products results in fewer young people using addictive tobacco and nicotine substances as well as higher quit rates,” said Board Chair Kathryn Harrington. “Even though the vote was not unanimous, we clearly heard each commissioner express agreement that the use of tobacco substances is harmful and marketing strategies that aggressively target anyone in our community—especially young people and marginalized groups—are unacceptable.

“I’m confident that this step forward, along with the rollout of statewide tobacco retail licensing requirements, will serve to protect the health of all Washington County residents,” the chair continued.

Others believe there are other ways to focus on health without hurting business.

“I firmly believe that there exists a better answer, an answer to focus on our youth that simultaneously will not put people out of business and forcing Washington County and consumers to move their shopping habits out of locations outside of Washington County,” Jonathan Polonsky, President and CEO of Plaid Pantry said.