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9h ago

Santa Cruz County and Two Cities to Ban Sales of Filtered Cigarettes in 2027

Officials say the policy targets plastic filter pollution on beaches, with retailer outreach planned before enforcement.

Unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, and the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola, will see a ban on the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars in 2027. 
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Overview

  • The prohibition covers unincorporated areas plus the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola, with enforcement on Jan. 1, 2027 in the county and Santa Cruz and on July 1, 2027 in Capitola.
  • The county’s 2024 ordinance moved forward after Santa Cruz voted June 24 and Capitola voted Sept. 11 to pass matching measures.
  • Supporters and officials describe it as the first filtered‑cigarette sales ban globally, intended to reduce plastic filters that break into microplastics.
  • County leaders cite World Health Organization estimates of 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts annually and say filters offer no proven health benefit.
  • Implementation plans include retailer outreach, assistance with product transitions and enforcement support, while some shop owners warn of lost revenue, with one reporting 15% to 20% of sales from filtered cigarettes.