Jerry Hill - CalMatters

Cigars with flavored wrappers

Goodbye ‘banana smash’ cigarillos: Governor quickly signs bill to ban flavored tobacco

by Elizabeth Aguilera August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

The new law, aimed at keeping flavored tobacco products away from youth, was cast by opponents as being discriminatory against African American smokers who favor menthol cigarettes.

California grocery workers hope the state adopts a new rule making it easier for essential workers like them to receive workers' comp benefits if they contract COVID-19. This masked worker stocks produce at Gus's Community Market in San Francisco. Photo by Ben Margot, AP Photo

Governor’s quandary: Who should get California workers’ comp benefits for COVID-19?

by Barbara Feder Ostrov April 26, 2020April 26, 2020

A hand holding a fistful of hundred dollar bills. With California's 2020 primary fast approaching, outside spending on California legislative campaigns is ramping up. Photo via iStock

Brace for the deluge: Special interests are spending millions to get the California legislators they want

by Ben Christopher February 20, 2020February 20, 2020

California Divide

Many low-income Californians don’t use credit cards. Should stores be required to accept cash?

by Jackie Botts February 13, 2020February 27, 2020

Solving shortage of doctors, perhaps + A labor-weed rift + Layoffs on the rise + High-speed rail brinkmanship

by Dan Morain February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Jorge Hernandez, 21, vapes near the UC Berkeley campus. California's Legislature has rejected past attempts to restrict vaping flavors, which attract younger users. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California lawmakers have refused to restrict flavored vaping — is that about to change?

by Elizabeth Aguilera February 4, 2020February 4, 2020

E-cigarettes use among middle and high schoolers rose 78 percent last year over the previous year. Federal data indicates more than 1 in 5 students now use them.

Inside the Capitol

Newsom cracks down on vaping — and asks the Legislature for help

by Ben Christopher September 16, 2019September 16, 2019

Photo of a hand holding an electronic cigarette with smoke. The hands-off approach by California lawmakers is at odds with the escalating public concern over the industry. Photo via iStock

Vaping industry breathes easier: For now, California lawmakers won’t restrict its business

by Ben Christopher September 10, 2019September 11, 2019

E-cigarettes use among middle and high schoolers rose 78 percent last year over the previous year. Federal data indicates more than 1 in 5 students now use them.

California Legislature, Health, Politics

Industry aims to extinguish bills that would make California first state to ban flavored tobacco

by Elizabeth Aguilera May 19, 2019June 23, 2020

PARADISE, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Aerial footage shows homes destroyed by the Camp Fire near the Paradise Plaza off Clark Road in Paradise, California, on Thursday, November 15, 2018. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

Newsletters, WhatMatters

Fire, rain, PG&E’s dire straits, and privacy

by Dan Morain March 1, 2019