A new law, Act 590, has taken effect in Arkansas, significantly restricting the sale of vaping products across the state. The legislation prohibits the sale of any vapor or e-liquid product unless the manufacturer has certified it with the state and it appears on a new official registry. This registry will primarily include products that have been authorized by or are currently under formal review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The law, which began to take effect on September 1, 2025, aims to protect Arkansans from a flood of unregulated products. "There are products from across the world that are being sold at these retailers and frankly we don’t know what’s in them," said Scott Hardin, spokesperson for Arkansas Tobacco Control (ATC). The Truth Initiative found that over 80% of e-cigarette products sold in the U.S. in 2024 were not FDA-authorized.
The ATC will publish a list of approved products, and retailers have been warned that any items not on this list will be considered illegal to sell. As of early implementation, only about a dozen companies had applied for the registry, with nine approved. Beginning November 1, 2025, manufacturers selling unlisted products will face civil penalties.
The law also aims to protect children by banning vape packaging and marketing that imitates designs appealing to minors, such as cartoons, superheroes, or candy names. Hardin warned retailers that non-compliant products will be seized, and they could face significant fines or even permit revocation.
