As of December 20, 2019, federal vape age laws established the legal age to vape and buy vaping products in all states as 21. The answer to how old to buy a vape seems simple. However, a more complete explanation about the legal age to vape, the age to buy a vape, and the way to buy vape juice in each state can be found by breaking down rules and regulations by state. Before the new law, the federal minimum vape age was 18. Also, 18 was the minimum age to buy vapor products in 31 states. Do the more recent federal laws override state laws? Good question.

Congress passed the minimum 21 vaping age law, which the President signed. So, technically, every state must follow federal electronic cigarette laws. However, keeping track of the legal age to vape is not that simple. State and local law enforcement agencies often do not actively pursue federal law enforcement. Also, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms federal agents are unlikely to be staking out Joe’s Vape Shop in Little Rock.

The United States Congress passed the vaping age law after the FDA released new vape laws, including a minimum legal vaping age of 21. The FDA responded to concerns about the dangers of vaping, raising questions about what the legal age for vaping should be. A mysterious vape lung illness called EVALI by the CDC was caused by vitamin E acetate in THC drug oils. This quickly led to national panic, forcing the FDA to react. In the beginning, people blamed e-cigs and vaping for the outbreak, causing vaping to come under attack from every direction. The hysteria led to several new vape age laws by state and local jurisdictions. States scrambled to amend state legislation so that state laws would match the new federal legal age to vape.

The Trump administration signed a vaping age law on December 20, 2019, making the minimum age to vape 21 years old. Whether you ask how old you have to be to buy a vape or how old you have to be to own a vape, the answer is 21. In more formal language, you must be 21 to buy or possess electronic cigarette products. These vape age laws in the US are among the strictest vape laws in the world. So why is 21 the best legal age to vape to discourage nicotine addiction?

Research shows that 95% of adult nicotine users started before age 21. Therefore, lawmakers theorize that increasing the legal age to vape and buy vapor products in America to 21 can reduce nicotine dependence for the next generation.

The FDA defines tobacco products broadly and sweepingly. It considers e-cigs with nicotine as tobacco products. It also classifies vape batteries used in e-cig mods as tobacco products. Additionally, the FDA regards battery chargers for e-cig kits and pod vape systems as tobacco products. Virtually anything associated with vaping is considered a tobacco product by the FDA and must comply with vaping age laws and other regulations.

The legal age to buy vaping devices without nicotine is the same as the legal vaping age. The definition of a tobacco product encompasses the full range of vapor products, including the vape device itself. Therefore, using any device requires the user to be of legal vaping age, whether it contains nicotine or not.

People can vape e-liquid with or without nicotine. However, vaping involves more than just nicotine. Cannabis and CBD vapes are now common across the U.S. Additionally, due to the vape lung illness EVALI, several states are moving to regulate oil-based vape substances. This includes THC oils, specifically the vitamin E acetate used in some THC oil cartridges.

However, in addition to federal regulations, each state enforces its own individual vape age laws. As a result, the general shape of vaping age regulations remains a constantly changing mess. Vaping laws can vary from one block to the next in the United States, not to mention state-by-state vape laws and the legal age to vape in each state!

A guide to vaping laws by state will provide the most up-to-date answers available. Listing vape laws by state does not necessarily include all municipal and county vaping age laws and regulations. Additionally, individual towns and cities often impose their own vape age limits and other e-cigarette regulations.

Alabama Vape Laws

In Alabama, you must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

In addition, emergency medical providers and daycare workers can’t use vape products while working.

Alaska Vape Laws

Unless you have medical approval, you must be 19 years old to purchase a vape. 

Vapes are banned where smoking is prohibited, meaning they can’t be used in enclosed public spaces or near children. 

Arizona Vape Laws

The minimum age for purchasing vapes is 18 years old. 

Vapes are banned around foster children and in foster homes. 

Arkansas Vape Laws

To purchase products, you must be at least 21 years old. 

Vapes are banned in state park builds, college campuses, and near schools and childcare locations. 

California Vape Laws

You must be 21 years old to purchase vapes unless you are in the active military, in which case the age requirement is 18. Also, to order vape products by mail, you must be 21. 

Vaping is banned in youth jails, public areas, and around minors.

Colorado Vaping Regulations

To purchase vape products in Colorado, you must be 21. 

Vaping is banned around minors in day facilities, assisted living facilities, and during driving tests.

Connecticut Vaping Laws

To purchase e-cig products, you must be 21 years old.

Vaping is banned in hotels/motel rooms, schools, and government and healthcare facilities.

Delaware E-cig Laws

You must be 21 years old to purchase electronic cigarette devices in Delaware. 

Vaping is banned everywhere smoking is banned.

District of Columbia Vape Laws 

21 years old is the minimum age to buy vape products.

Vaping is banned everywhere smoking is prohibited.

Florida Vape Laws

You must be 21 years old to purchase vape products.

Vaping is banned in care-providing indoor spaces, facilities, and vehicles.

Georgia Vaping Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Food service employees cannot vape unless in a designated area.

Hawaii E-cig Regulations

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products. You need to use an ID to purchase, even if ordered online. 

Vaping is banned in all parks and University of Hawaii properties. 

Idaho Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase e-cig products. Shipping vape products to anyone under 21 is illegal.

Illinois Vaping Regulations

To purchase e-cig products you must be 21 years old.

Vaping is banned in the Capitol Complex and on college campuses.

Indiana Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. If ordering a vape by mail, the age requirement of 21 must be verified and confirmed.

Iowa Vape Laws

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.

Vapes are permitted on state property, parks, foster homes, and on University of Iowa property. 

Kansas E-cigarette Regulations

Age Restriction: You must be 21 to purchase vape products. 

Vaping is banned in juvenile jails and corrections facilities.

Kentucky Vaping Regulations

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned on state property, underground mines, various health facilities, highway rest areas, parks, and fairgrounds.

Louisiana E-cigarette Regulations

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.

Vaping is banned on educational premises.

Maine Vape Laws

To purchase vape devices, you must be 21 years old.

Vaping is banned everywhere smoking is banned.

Maryland Vape Laws

To purchase vape devices, you must be 21 years old.

Flavored e-cigarette devices are banned.

Massachusetts E-cigarette Bans And Regulations

To purchase vape products, you have to be 21 years old.

Vaping is banned at children’s camps and everywhere except designated smoking zones.

Michigan Vaping Laws

Minimum age to purchase vapes: 21 years old

Vaping is banned near courts.

Minnesota Vaping Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Salon workers cannot vape while working. Vaping is banned in schools, government, and healthcare facilities.

Mississippi E-cigarette Laws

Age Restriction: You must be 21 to purchase vape products. 

Vaping is banned on public school buildings or buses.

Missouri Vaping Laws

Minimum age to buy vapes: 21 years old

Vaping is restricted to designated areas of public buildings and grounds occupied by state agencies. It is also banned in public school buildings or buses.

Montana E-cig Laws

Minimum age to purchase vapes: 21 years old

Vaping is banned in foster homes or around foster children and in public school buildings or buses.

Nevada Vape Laws

Age Restriction: You must be 21 to purchase vape products. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not permitted.

New Hampshire E-cigarette Regulations

Minimum age to purchase vapes: 21 years old

Vaping is banned in public education spaces and wherever smoking is not permitted.

New Mexico Vaping Regulations

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned on school property or during school-associated events.

New Jersey Vape Laws

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is prohibited, including in children’s group facilities.

New York Vaping Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not allowed.

North Carolina Vaping Laws

The minimum age for buying vapes is 21 years old. 

Vaping is banned on school property, prisons, and childcare facilities.

North Dakota E-cig Regulations

The minimum age for buying vapes is 21 years old. 

In addition, vapes are prohibited from use where smoking is not permitted, except for a few exceptions. 

Ohio Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices unless bought with a parent. 

Vaping is banned in tattoo shops, sterilization rooms, University of Cincinnati property, and other campus properties.

Oklahoma Vape Laws

The minimum age for buying vapes is 21 years old. 

Vaping is banned in addiction recovery centers and mental illness and gambling addiction recovery centers.

Oregon Vaping Regulations

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not permitted.

Pennsylvania Vape Laws

The sale of vape devices to persons under age 21 (or under age 18 if a military member or veteran) is illegal.

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is banned.

Rhode Island E-cig Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is banned, including correctional facilities.

South Carolina Vaping Regulations

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned in ambulances.

South Dakota E-cig Laws

21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is prohibited, including correctional facilities.

Tennessee Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned in educational institutions.

Texas Laws For E-cigarettes and Vaping

You must be 21 years old to purchase a vape device unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse.

Vaping is restricted to designated smoking zones and banned at school-associated events.

Utah E-cigs Laws

To purchase from a store or distributor, you must be 21. In addition, you must be at least 21 to possess an e-cig device. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not allowed, including in vehicles with any passenger under 15 years old.

Vermont Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not allowed, in vehicles with any passenger under 18, and in school locations.

Virginia Vaping Regulations

You must be 21 years old to purchase vape devices unless you are on active military duty, in which case you must be at least 18. 

Vaping is banned on school property or buses.

Washington Vape Laws

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not allowed, including educational facilities.

West Virginia Vaping Regulations

You must be 21 to buy vape devices. 

Vaping is banned wherever smoking is not allowed, including educational facilities.v

Wisconsin Vape Laws

You must be 21 to buy vape devices. 

Vaping is banned at State Fair Park’s main stage and indoor buildings.

Wyoming E-cig Regulations

You must be 21 to purchase vape devices. 

Vaping is banned in childcare facilities while children are present.

This is the most comprehensive list of state-by-state vaping age regulations. We update our legal age to vape list constantly. However, we cannot track every local ordinance impacting vapor products. The regulatory environment is wild and unpredictable. Often, authorities enact vape laws without reason and consultation. We live in reactionary times, and it feels like the legal age for vaping can change on a whim, depending on where you live in the U.S.

It is doubtful that there will be a broad national consensus on vaping age anytime soon. Anti-vaping forces have already made up their minds and allow no contrary information. Many want to make vaping illegal altogether. Unfortunately, there is a severe lack of objective discourse on vaping age in America. Like other aspects of our lives, vaping age arguments have become less political and more personal.

If you know of any new vaping age regulations in your area, please contact us and let us know.