A business constantly seeks ways to expand its customer base.

The tobacco industry does this by selling flavored tobacco products – .

But not in San Francisco.

The City Council passed a law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Flavors especially designed for young users include bubble gum, chicken and waffles, and unicorn milk. Also prohibited are vaping liquids packaged as candies and juice boxes for electronic smoking, and menthol cigarettes.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was instrumental in petitioning this issue to referendum.

The voters overwhelmingly approved it on Tuesday – by 68% to 32%.

I’ve asked the General Assembly research staff how this ban differs from Maryland law.

The supporters of the law are a who’s who of anti-smoking advocates, including former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

I may be in touch with them after June 26.