LOS ANGELES: San Francisco on Tuesday became the first major US city to effectively ban the sale and manufacture of electronic cigarettes.
The city’s legislature unanimously approved an ordinance which backers said was necessary due to the “significant public health consequences” of a “dramatic surge” in vaping among youths.
The ordinance says e-cigarette products sold in shops or online in San Francisco would need approval by federal health authorities, which none currently has.
US health authorities are alarmed by the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, battery-powered devices which enable users to inhale nicotine liquids that are often fruit flavored.
The number of young Americans using e-cigarettes grew by 1.5 million in 2018, with about 3.6 million middle and high school students using vaping products.
San Francisco is home to market-leading e-cigarette maker Juul.
The city’s mayor London Breed has 10 days to sign the legislation, which she has said she will do.
“We need to take action to protect the health of San Francisco’s youth and prevent the next generation of San Franciscans from becoming addicted to these products,” Breed said in a statement Tuesday ahead of the vote.
She added that e-cigarette companies were “targeting our kids in their advertising and getting them hooked on addictive nicotine products.”
But critics say the legislation will make it harder for people seeking alternatives to regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes do not contain the cancer-causing products found in tobacco.
An editorial in the Los Angeles Times noted that regular cigarettes were still for sale in San Francisco, arguing that “it’s bad public health policy to come down harder on the lesser of two tobacco evils.”
Juul said in a statement Monday that a ban would “not effectively address underage use and will leave cigarettes on shelves as the only choice for adult smokers.”
Concern is growing about the potential health consequences of vaping, which remain largely unknown in part because the practice is so new.
Experts point out that it took decades to determine that smoking tobacco — which accounts for more than seven million premature deaths worldwide every year — is truly dangerous.
Beside the well-known addictive consequences of consuming nicotine, public health experts are focusing on the effect of heating the liquid nicotine cartridges to high temperatures.
The San Francisco ordinance text said that nicotine exposure during adolescence “can harm the developing brain” and “can also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.”
Unlike an e-cigarette ban in force in Singapore, the San Francisco legislation does not restrict the use of vaping products.
Recreational cannabis use has been legal in California for people over the age of 21 since January 1, 2018.
San Francisco becomes first major US city to ban e-cigarette sales
San Francisco becomes first major US city to ban e-cigarette sales
- Since 2014, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among young people in the country
Where We Are Going Today: Rowly’s in Riyadh
- The ambience inside is both playful and rustic, with tables covered with classic red checkered cloth and the bar lined with bottles of Coca-Cola
From London to Dubai and now bringing in crowds in Riyadh, Rowly’s steakhouse opened its doors to customers in KAFD Riyadh at the end of 2025. Known for its signature fox logo and iconic mono-dish menu, the restaurant is for steak lovers looking to get a taste of London in Riyadh.
Upon arrival, a long line forms beneath the restaurant’s red banner, where guests can pass the time with Rowly’s “Match the Box” game, an interactive touch that introduces the brand’s theme before stepping inside.
The ambience inside is both playful and rustic, with tables covered with classic red checkered cloth and the bar lined with bottles of Coca-Cola. Decks of Uno and other games are provided throughout the space for those looking to enjoy themselves over their meal. Fox portraits decorate the restaurant, really bringing the theme together.
This playfulness extends to Rowly’s menu itself, where steak and side options are written on a large sheet of paper on the table and guests can check off their desired steak style, fries, salad, and sauce.
The menu features striploin, ribeye, and their special steak option. The waiter recommended I pair my Australian striploin with their secret sauce, accompanied by a side of truffle fries and a house salad.
The Australian striploin was priced at SR145 ($39), and you are able to add an extra 100 grams for SR60. I ordered my steak medium-cooked; it was delicious and paired wonderfully with my sides. I also got a Coke Zero to complete the classic meal.
While we waited for our order, we were able to use the menu sheet for games such as XP, word search puzzles, and maze puzzles, alongside the card decks provided.
For dessert, I tried the chocolate mousse, the perfect way to wrap up a traditional, enjoyable meal.
Rowly’s is a lively new addition to Riyadh’s dining scene, ideal for those willing to spend a little more time than usual for a fun yet high-end steak experience. I would recommend Rowley’s to families and friends looking for a straightforward menu that delivers high-quality meat in an energetic setting.
