By Tim FangCalifornia’s Santa Cruz County announced that sales on filtered cigarettes will be banned in 2027, which officials say is the first ban of its kind. In a statement Monday, the ban is taking effect after the City of Santa Cruz approved a similar ordinance in June and the City of Capitola approved a ban earlier this month. “Santa Cruz County is always at the forefront of making change. Officials said the filtered cigarette ban follows other groundbreaking legislation implemented in the county, including restrictions on single-use plastics and a prohibition on Styrofoam. The City of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County will begin enforcement of the ban on Jan. 1, 2027, while Capitola will enforce its ban starting on July 1, 2027.