Vape Ban:E-Cigarette Restrictions In The U.S. And Worldwide

Vaping laws vary across countries. In the U.S., they vary across state lines. Before you pack your vape starter kits or other supplies, check the laws.

Content guide:

1. U.S. Bans on Flavored Vapes and Online Sales
2. Sales of online vape products
3. State bans and restrictions
4. Bans on Sales or Vapes in Other Countries
5. Vaping: Keep Up with the Changes

U.S. Bans on Flavored Vapes and Online Sales

In 2021, the U.S. government passed the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act. The law placed bans on products not authorized by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). It also requires all shipments to require an adult signature at delivery.

The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act prohibits retailers from using the U.S. Postal Service to deliver products. Some online retailers have responded by using private delivery services to get products to customers.

Although no state has banned sales of vaping products, many have placed restrictions on flavors. The city of San Francisco has passed a law banning all vape sales there. These laws have not stopped people from getting flavored vape products, however. A news report found that customers were driving to neighboring states to get the flavors and nicotine levels they want.

Sales of online vape products

In the U.S., you must be 21 to buy vape products online, and all prefilled (closed-pod) systems except menthol and tobacco are banned. The ban exempts disposable cigarettes. Some online retailers have started using private shipping companies to deliver products. If you want to order hardware or juice, check with the retailer to find out if shipping is available to your address.

State bans and restrictions

The following states have banned online sales of vape products. In these states, only a licensed retailer or distributor can have products shipped to them. They still allow vape sales in person.

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Maine
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Vermont

The following states have laws restricting flavors and nicotine levels.

• Alaska: Closed-system devices with prefilled liquid can only be sold in tobacco or menthol flavors.
• Maryland: The state has banned the sale of flavored disposables. Refillable cartridges, devices, and tobacco or menthol disposable vapes can be shipped.
• Massachusetts: Only tobacco flavors with 35mg/ml or lower can be sold. The state also requires a signature with delivery on all shipments.
• New Jersey: Tobacco-flavored juice, vape devices, disposables, and cartridges can be shipped.
• New York: No flavored vape products can be shipped. Only refillable devices not prefilled with juice can be sold in New York, and only prefilled vapes, prefilled cartridges, and disposables can be shipped.
• Rhode Island: Nicotine-free juices in any flavor and tobacco-flavored juices with nicotine can be sold in the state. All vape hardware and accessories can be sold.
• West Virginia: Only tobacco and menthol flavors can be sold.

These states allow sales and shipping of all vape products.

• Michigan: Michigan is one of the few states where flavor bans are not in effect. All flavors can legally be sold or shipped to Michigan.
• Montana: Like Michigan, the state allows all flavors to be shipped.
• New Hampshire: All vape flavors and nicotine levels are available.
• Virginia: It is legal to buy flavored vapes here.
• Washington: All vape flavors and nicotine levels can be bought and shipped here.

Bans on Sales or Vapes in Other Countries

Some countries have bans on vaping, and others make it legal to vape but illegal to sell vapes. If that sounds confusing, it is. Some countries have thriving underground markets in vape supplies. In others, vapers report that enforcement of these laws is light or nonexistent, and people openly vape.

In the following countries, it is legal to vape but illegal to sell vape supplies:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ethiopia
• Hong Kong
• India
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Mexico
• Nepal
• Oman
• Panama
• Poland
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Uganda
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Vaping and vape sales are legal in these countries:

• China
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Russia
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

Vaping is banned in these countries:

• Cambodia
• East Timor
• The Gambia
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Nicaragua
• North Korea
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Syria
• Vietnam

In these countries, vaping is legal, but importing vape products is illegal:

• Turkey

These countries only allow vaping with non-nicotine juices:

• Australia
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Malaysia

Although vape products are illegal in Japan, many Japanese people use heated tobacco products (HTP), which are like vapes. These are extremely popular in Japan and have been credited with helping many smokers quit.

Vaping: Keep Up with the Changes

Vape laws are changing constantly both in the U.S. and in other countries. Before you travel somewhere, do your research. It may be smart to pack a disposable vape in case your supplies get confiscated. It's always smart to vape safely and travel safely.