Vaping has become another alternative people choose instead of smoking cigarettes. Nonetheless, they still carry the same amount of disadvantages as cigarettes. This fact is why they also have various rules and restrictions around their use in all states. With that said, here are the vaping laws that are in effect throughout the country.
Packaging
Before, vaping products were simple for the youth to access and use. After the government decided to fix this growing problem, they also wanted to change the way vaping products were packaged.
Several states have already imposed a packaging system for these products to warn of the danger it can impose on those who use them. They are also there to remind the buyer that children cannot use the products.
Currently, there are 29 states with specific laws around how to package vaping products. They make sure that each packaged product has the necessary precautions to prevent children from accessing them, like:
- Including the danger of using the product.
- Reminding the buyer that the product isn’t for children.
- Making sure that all caps on products are tightly secured.
- Wrapping all products securely and tightly.
Taxation
Due to the effects vaping has had on people, especially teenagers, many states have imposed a tax on anyone of age purchasing e-cigarettes and vaping pens. As of December 2019, 21 states have decided to add this tax to vaping products. Massachusetts will be the latest state to impose this tax on June 1, 2020.
Each state comes up with the tax rate to use in one of three ways:
- Percentage of the price of the product.
- Flat rate per milliliter of e-liquid/cartridge.
- Using a combination of the first two approaches.
Youth Access
Recently, there has been a problem with younger children and teenagers using e-cigarettes and vaping pens. This circumstance has resulted in many unfortunate events, such as nicotine addiction, health issues, and death.
To effectively fix this problem, all 51 states and districts decided to make it harder for the youth to access these vaping products. As of December 2019, each state throughout the country has raised the age needed to purchase any vaping products. However, some states raised their ages differently from others.
- Age raised to 18: 27 states
- Age raised to 19: 5 states
- Age raised to 21: 19 states
Licensing
For some states, stores must be licensed to sell vaping products. This is because they require professionals to handle and sell any vaping products that may be on the market. It’s also one way to tell who is authorized to process any vaping products and who isn’t.
Multiple states have passed laws that require convenience stores to have licenses or permits to sell these products. In fact, as of December 2019, 29 states have adopted this law, making this a requirement. This law means that with their license or permit, they can sell, refill, and distribute:
- Vaping liquid
- Vape pens
- Vaping cartridges
- E-cigarettes