Washington County Flavored Tobacco Ban On Hold, Petition Filed

HILLSBORO, OR — Last November, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 878, which banned the sale of flavored tobacco products. Shop-owners were given until January 1 to clear their shelves.

Now, less than one month later, the ban is on hold.

A retailer-backed petition drive gathered enough signatures to put a measure on the ballot that would overturn the ban. The county has 15 days to verify the signatures.

If the county gives the okay, the measure will be on the ballot in May.

In the meantime, products can be sold until either the county says that there were not enough valid signatures or voters at the ballot decided to uphold the ban.