Ohio House votes to override Gov. DeWine's veto of bill to prohibit flavored tobacco bans

The Ohio House voted Wednesday to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of legislation that would prohibit cities from imposing flavored tobacco bans.

The move marked the latest effort by Republican lawmakers to block local regulation of flavored tobacco products, including menthol. Columbus is preparing to ban the sale of flavored tobacco starting next month, and Cincinnati, Dayton and Cleveland are considering similar proposals.

Wednesday's vote also highlighted divisions between DeWine and legislative leaders on the issue that have persisted for months. Veto overrides are rare because they require more votes in the House and Senate.

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"In this holiday spirit, I cannot think of a better holiday gift than delivering this vote to the hardworking Ohioans who need us to keep this place open for business," Rep. Jon Cross, R-Findlay, said.

Anti-tobacco groups say these bans are necessary to reduce teen vaping, as studies show young people prefer fruit or candy-flavored e-cigarettes. And tobacco companies deliberately marketed menthol cigarettes to Black Americans, contributing to 45,000 deaths from tobacco use per year, according to the American Lung Association.

But GOP officials in the House and Senate contend the state should have uniform guidelines and say the legislation will protect small businesses.

Lawmakers first moved to stymie local bans after the Columbus City Council voted to prohibit flavored tobacco sales beginning in January 2024. DeWine vetoed the bill earlier this year, so the House and Senate put the measure in its two-year budget plan. The governor struck that down, too.

A DeWine spokesman declined to comment Wednesday night.

"Our actions tonight speak volumes. They're a statement about whose lives we value in this great state," Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, said. "By moving forward with this override, we're sending a resounding message that the lives of Black Ohioans and many, many others are simply being overlooked."

For now, municipalities can still ban flavored tobacco. Three-fifths of the Senate must also vote to override DeWine's veto for the legislation to take effect. A spokesman for Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said senators have a year to debate the issue, and he's unaware of current discussions.

Reporter Jessie Balmert contributed.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio House overrides veto of bill to prohibit flavored tobacco bans