A new law significantly altering the sale of disposable tobacco vapor products in North Carolina takes full effect on July 1, 2025. House Bill 900, which technically became law on May 1st, provided a 60-day grace period for vendors to adjust. Starting July 1st, retailers must only sell disposable vape products that are listed on the North Carolina Department of Revenue's newly created directory of approved items.
This directory effectively bans the sale of certain highly popular disposable vape brands, including Elf Bar, Geek Bar, and Lost Mary, as they are not included on the approved list. However, the law does not constitute a full flavor ban; the new registry still includes almost 900 disposable vape products, many of which are flavored. The primary criterion for inclusion is tied to a product's status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), restricting sales to items that have received some form of federal authorization or are under official review.
This legislation is aimed at curbing youth access to unregulated products. According to 2021 data from the American Lung Association, 23.8% of North Carolina youths used tobacco vapor products, despite the legal purchase age being 21. Adult vaping rates in North Carolina (7.9% in 2022) also exceed the national average of roughly 6%.
It's important to note that HB 900 does not affect the sale of THC vapes or other cannabis products, which are sold under a different legal framework in the state. The new law represents a significant change for both vendors, who must clear their shelves of non-compliant products, and consumers, who will find many familiar brands are no longer legally available for purchase in North Carolina.
