Here we go again, folks—California is back at it with another proposed regulation that’s sure to spark some heated debates. This time, it’s gas stoves that are in the crosshairs, with lawmakers pushing a bill that could slap health warning labels on them, akin to those on cigarette packs. That’s right, your stove could soon carry the same kind of warning you’d find on a carton of smokes.
At the end of August, California lawmakers passed a bill that would make it illegal to sell a gas stove—whether online or in stores—without a big, bold warning label starting in 2025. These labels would warn consumers about the supposed dangers of gas stoves, from asthma risks to indoor air pollutants. Governor Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to decide whether to sign this bill into law. No surprise here, this is California leading the charge, yet again.
Environmental groups like Climate Action Now are cheering, claiming it’s a victory for public health and the environment. They argue that gas stoves are bad news for both your lungs and the planet, pointing to studies linking gas stove emissions to respiratory issues like asthma. But let’s pump the brakes for a second—this is also a pretty significant move toward government overreach in the kitchen. Industry advocates, along with plenty of everyday consumers, are shaking their heads, arguing this is just another attempt by bureaucrats to meddle in private life. The big question: is this really about protecting people, or is it part of a larger agenda to phase out gas altogether?
And don’t think this is just a California thing—New York and Illinois have floated similar ideas, but only California’s bill has made it this far. Gas stove manufacturers, already reeling from this wave of anti-gas sentiment, are pointing out that the real issue isn’t the fuel source but ventilation. Good ventilation is essential whether you’re using gas or electricity. But no, California seems to think a giant warning label is the solution.
Let’s not forget last year’s drama when U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr. sent shockwaves through the media by suggesting a gas stove ban was on the table. After the predictable backlash, he quickly backpedaled, saying the agency wasn’t coming for anyone’s stove just yet, but “all approaches to regulation” were on the table. Well, here’s your approach, folks—start plastering warnings on anything that uses gas.
From @WSJopinion: Democrats insist they aren’t coming for gas stoves, but look at how Berkeley is trying to tax them into obsolescence. What does Kamala Harris think of her hometown’s plan to soak businesses and renters? https://t.co/2yPdCOtcSZ
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 7, 2024
Supporters of the bill, like Jenn Engstrom from the California Public Interest Research Group, insist it’s all about educating consumers. Apparently, people need to be warned that their stove might be as bad as, say, living near a freeway. “People just aren’t aware of this pollution,” Engstrom says, like the smell of gas somehow goes unnoticed while cooking dinner.
A longtime California lawmaker is leaving the Democratic Party, motivated in part by a push to ban gas stoves.#TheFinal5 producer and self-proclaimed “chief tortilla correspondent” @LoretoNews offers some insight. pic.twitter.com/mP7oP4C4cP
— Jim Lokay (@Lokay) September 10, 2024
If Newsom signs this into law, get ready for the great gas stove debate to heat up even more. Because when it comes to the nanny state, California never disappoints. And as for the rest of the country? Don’t be surprised if this trend catches on—just another way to turn your kitchen into a battleground in the war on gas.
