BANGOR, Maine — The Bangor City Council plans to repeal an ordinance that would have implemented a ban on flavored tobacco sales, including menthol cigarettes and e-cigarette flavors, in the city.
Bangor city councilors initially voted in favor of the ban in a 7-1 vote back in October 2021. It was set to go into effect June 1, but during a meeting on Monday, city officials said they did not give businesses enough warning about the new law.
City officials were required to give businesses at least 30-days' notice, which they reported did not happen. The notice requirement is necessary for municipalities that are implementing stricter policies than state law.
Because of that, officials said the ban would be difficult to enforce and could even open the city up to possible lawsuits. The city council was not sure why the notice never happened.
"I will say there was a significant amount of public discussion, well over a 30-day period of time, but we really did feel that it was the most appropriate action as our city solicitor said to make sure that we repeal the current one," Debbie Laurie, Bangor city manager, said.
Dan Tremble is the one city councilor who voted against the ban in October 2021. While he supports the ban at the state and federal levels, the elected official said he stands by his vote for the city.
"I just don't think it makes sense. Somebody who lives in Bangor can go to Brewer, Hampden. They'll just go to another community if they want menthol products," Tremble said.
This repeal is now buying some business owners a little more time, like the owner of Vapeology on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor.
"We were making initial plans to move out of this city. Actually, we were looking to take our business to Brewer," Hunter Clukey, manager of Vapeology, said.
Clukey said the flavored tobacco products are designed to help people quit using traditional, and more harmful, tobacco products. Clukey said flavored tobacco product sales bring in more than 50% of the business' yearly profit.
"You're talking tens of thousands of dollars in a given month of flavored tobacco product sales," Clukey said.
The city council plans to take up the measure again before the year is over.
Dan Cashman, Flavors Hook Kids Maine spokesperson, said the organization is hopeful councilors will once again vote in favor of the ban next time around.
"Nothing has changed. Profits still shouldn't take precedence over the health and safety of kids," Cashman said.
Laurie said the vote is likely to happen sometime this summer.
Bangor was the first community in Maine to approve a ban on flavored tobacco. Portland and Brunswick also have bans that are set to start June 1.
A proposal for a statewide ban on flavored tobacco is still working its way through the Maine Legislature.
To watch Monday's Bangor City Council meeting, click here.