North Carolina bans non-FDA-approved disposable e-cigarettes

From 1^er By July 2025, most disposable e-cigarettes will no longer be legal in North Carolina under House Bill 900, signed in 2023 by former Governor Roy Cooper. Although this law officially went into effect on July 1,^er May 2025, a 60-day transition period was provided to allow merchants to adapt to new guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Taxation, based on a directory of products authorized or under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[1].

North Carolina Bans Most Disposable E-Cigarettes

From now on, only vaping products that have received FDA approval or are registered as being under review by the federal agency will be allowed to remain on the market. Many popular brands, such as Lost Mary and Elf Bar, will disappear from shelves, even though nearly 900 disposable e-cigarettes remain on North Carolina's new registry of authorized vaping products. Furthermore, manufacturers only need to prove that they have initiated an application for approval to be allowed to go on the market.

Products containing THC or hemp are also exempt from the ban, as although marijuana is not legal in the state, a legal loophole allows cannabis products made with cannabinoids other than the illegal THC-9 to be sold in North Carolina stores.[2].

Shops had until June 29, 2025, to remove non-compliant products. From June 1,^er July 2025, they must also obtain a license from the Department of Taxation to continue selling vaping products.

At the same time, a new tax system is being introduced: alternative nicotine products will now be subject to additional taxes. Taxation of smokeless tobacco, such as snuff, will now be calculated based on weight.

Reaction of traders and impacts on consumption

This reform aims to align North Carolina legislation with federal standards and reduce youth access to unregulated products. This is a critical issue since 1 in 8 high school students in the state report vaping, according to the North Carolina Department of Health.

Additionally, the most recent data from the American Lung Association, dating from 2022, shows that North Carolina has a rate of 7.9% of adult vapers, a rate higher than the national average of about 6%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In 2019, the U.S. Congress raised the legal age for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. However, North Carolina is still one of seven states that have not amended their laws to align with this federal rule, so the minimum legal age remains at 18.

Mohammad Ahmed, an employee at a store near North Carolina State University, has seen a high demand for e-cigarettes: 90 % customers came for this " he said. But he does not regret their withdrawal: " I didn't like selling them, it's bad for your health. ".

Enforcement of the law is supposed to be overseen by the Department of Taxation, but remains unclear, as no details have yet been provided on how it will be enforced. In addition, manufacturers of banned products have filed lawsuits to halt enforcement of the law.

In terms of public health, North Carolina has the 10^e The highest infant mortality rate in the country. In terms of tobacco supply control, it is also one of nine states that does not require a license or permit from a tobacco retailer.

That's why the North Carolina Infant Mortality Task Force (CFTF), in its February 2025 annual report, stressed that smoking and vaping among young people constitute a major public health problem. He suggested raising the minimum age for selling tobacco and other nicotine products to 21, requiring retailers to have a sales license, and called for cannabis products to be presented in a less attractive way, particularly for young people. He recommended health warnings and regulating packaging and products.

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[1]WRAL News, North Carolina begins ban on popular disposable vapes not approved by the FDA, starting July 1, published July 1, 2025, accessed July 2, 2025

[2]Seaton Iris, North Carolina vaping product ban begins July 1: What's banned, what residents should know, Citizen Times, published July 1, 2025, accessed July 2, 2025

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