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Last week, the Beverly Hills city council in California unanimously passed an ordinance which will ban the sale of nearly all tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and cigars.

The only exception is that cigar lounges and some hotels will be allowed to sell tobacco products to guests.

Beverly Hills is the first city in the United States to introduce this law which will come into effect in January 2021.

Beverley Hills mayor, John Mirisch explains the decision to Kieno Kammies.

It is the next step in a logical progression...we were the first city to ban smoking in restaurants.

— John Mirisch, Mayor - Beverly Hills, California, USA

You can still smoke if you are walking from one place to another, he says, but you may not smoke near entrances to restaurants or buildings.

Smoking is truly something that has no benefit to society.

— John Mirisch, Mayor - Beverly Hills, California, USA

No stores sell marijuana in Beverley Hills and this will apply to tobacco and vaping as well.

There are people who are unhappy with the new law, especially convenience stores such as petrol stations.

— John Mirisch, Mayor - Beverly Hills, California, USA

But he says they have been given them time to adjust and he hopes these stores begin selling healthier options.

We know we are only one city, but our hope is that other cities will follow suit.

— John Mirisch, Mayor - Beverly Hills, California, USA

Listen to the mayor of Beverley Hills below:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : Beverley Hills mayor explains decision to ban tobacco sales