Starting December 31, 2025, Virginia smoke and vape shops will be required to overhaul their inventory as a new state law takes effect. Under the legislation, only liquid and vapor nicotine products listed on a new state "directory" approved by the Attorney General will be legal for sale. Retailers must remove any unapproved items from their shelves within a 60-day window or face severe penalties.
Violators of the new rule could be subject to fines of $1,000 per day for each unapproved product they continue to sell. To get on the directory, suppliers were required to apply for certification with a $2,000 fee per product. While major brands like Juul, NJOY, and Logic have secured spots, critics argue the high costs disadvantage smaller, independent suppliers, potentially fostering a monopoly for large corporations.
State lawmakers emphasize the law is designed to protect public health, citing concerns over unregulated vape products sometimes being laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine expressed support for regulating vapes similarly to cigarettes but cautioned against regulations that unfairly benefit large companies over smaller operators.
