How old do you have to be to buy a vape? As of December 20, 2019, and to the present day, federal vape age laws established that the legal age to vape and buy vaping products in all states is 21. The answer seems simple. However, a more complete explanation about the legal age to vape, the vape 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, signed by the President. So, technically, federal electronic cigarette laws must be followed in every state. 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 was responding 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 was quickly leading to national panic, forcing the FDA to react. In the beginning, e-cigs and vaping were blamed 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 have scrambled to amend state legislation so that state laws will match the new federal legal age to vape.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Vape?
The Trump administration signed a vaping age law on December 20, 2019, making the minimum age limit to vape 21 years old. Whether you ask how old you have to buy a vape or how old you have to be to own a vape, the answer on both counts 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 most strict vape laws in the world. So why is 21 the best legal age to vape to discourage nicotine addiction?
According to research, 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.
Is Vaping Considered A Tobacco Product?
The FDA possesses a broad and sweeping definition of tobacco products. Obviously, e-cigs with nicotine are considered tobacco products. But so are the vape batteries used in e-cig mods. Also, the battery chargers for your e-cig kits and pod vape systems are considered tobacco products. Virtually anything associated with vaping is regarded as a tobacco product by the FDA, and must be treated in accordance with vaping age laws, among other regulations.
What Is The Legal Age To Vape Without Nicotine?
The legal age to buy vaping devices without nicotine is the same as the legal vaping age. As mentioned above, the definition of a tobacco product encompasses the full range of vapor products. In addition, the vape device itself is considered a tobacco product. Therefore, using any device requires the user to be of legal vaping age. Nicotine or not.
What Substances Can Be Vaped?
E-liquid with or without nicotine can be vaped. But there is more to vaping than nicotine. Cannabis and CBD vapes are now standard across the U.S. In addition, because of the vape lung illness EVALI, several states are now moving to regulate oil-based vape substances. This includes THC oils, specifically the vitamin E acetate used in some THC oil cartridges.
Vape Laws By State
However, in addition to federal regulations, each state still has its own individual vape age laws. As a result, the general shape of vaping age regulations remains a constantly changing mess. As a result, vaping laws can be different from one block to the next in the United States, never mind state-by-state vape laws and the legal age to vape in each!
The guide to vaping laws by the state will provide the most up-to-date answers available. Listing vape laws by the state do not necessarily include all municipal and county vaping age laws and regulations. In addition, individual towns and cities often have additional vape age limits or other e-cigarette regulations.
Alabama Vape Laws
In Alabama, you must be 19 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 18 years old.
Vapes are banned in state park builds, college campuses, and neat schools and childcare locations.
California Vape Laws
You must be 21 years old to purchase vapes unless you’re in the active military, in which case the age requirement is 18. Also, to order vape products by mail, you must be 21.
Banned in youth jails, in public areas, and around minors.
Colorado Vaping Regulations
To purchase vape products in Colorado, you must be 18.
Vapes are not allowed around minors in day facilities and assisted living facilities.
Connecticut Vaping Laws
To purchase e-cig products, you must be 18 years old.
In addition, vapes are prohibited in hotels/motel rooms, schools, and government and healthcare facilities.
Delaware E-cig laws
You must be 18 years old to purchase electronic cigarette devices in Delaware.
Vapes are banned everywhere; smoking is not allowed.
District of Columbia Vape Laws
21 years old is the minimum age to buy vape products.
Vapes are prohibited everywhere; smoking is not permitted.
Florida Vape Laws
You must be 18 years old to purchase vape products.
In addition, vapes are not allowed in care-providing indoor spaces, facilities, and vehicles.
Georgia Vaping Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Food service employees cannot vape unless in a precisely demarcated zone.
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.
Vapes are banned everywhere; smoking is not allowed in all parks and U of H campuses/facilities.
Idaho Vape Laws
You must be 18 to purchase e-cig products. Shipping vape products to anyone under 18 is illegal.
Illinois Vaping Regulations
To purchase e-cig products you must be 18 years old.
Vapes are not allowed at the Capitol Complex or on college campuses.
Indiana Vape Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices. If ordering a vape by mail, the age requirement of 18 must be verified and confirmed.
Iowa Vape Laws
18 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 18 to purchase vape products.
Vapes are not allowed at juvenile jails and corrections locations.
Kentucky Vaping Regulations
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Banned on state property, underground mines, various health facilities, highway rest areas, parks, and fairgrounds.
Louisiana E-cigarette Regulations
18 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.
Additionally, vapes are not allowed on educational premises.
Maine Vape Laws
To purchase vape devices, you must be 21 years old unless you are already 18 as of July 1, 2018.
Vapes are banned everywhere; smoking is not allowed.
Maryland Vape Laws
Purchasing vape devices is illegal for “minors,” aka those younger than 18.
In addition, flavored e-cig devices are banned.
Massachusetts E-cigarette Bans And Regulations
To purchase vape products, you have to be 21 years old or have turned 18 before December 3, 2018.
Vapes are banned at children’s camps. They are banned everywhere except for demarcated smoking zones.
Michigan Vaping Laws
Minimum age to purchase vapes: 18 years old
Vapes are banned from smoking near courts.
Minnesota Vaping Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Salon workers cannot vape while working. In addition, vapes are banned in schools, government, and healthcare facilities.
Mississippi E-cigarette Laws
Age Restriction: You must be 18 to purchase vape products.
Missouri Vaping Laws
Minimum age to buy vapes: 18 years old
Vaping is restricted to specifically designated areas of public buildings and grounds occupied by state agencies. The use of vapor products in public school buildings or buses is not allowed.
Montana E-cig Laws
Minimum age to purchase vapes: 18 years old
The use of vapor products in public school buildings or buses is not allowed. In addition, Vaping devices in foster homes or around foster children is not permitted.
Nevada Vape Laws
Age Restriction: You must be 18 to purchase vape products.
New Hampshire E-cigarette Regulations
Minimum age to purchase vapes: 18 years old
Vapes are prohibited from using it anywhere; smoking is not permitted. In addition, vapes are banned in public education spaces.
New Mexico Vaping Regulations
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are not allowed on school property or during school-associated events.
New Jersey Vape Laws
21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.
Vapes are prohibited to use anywhere smoking is prohibited. Vapes are not allowed in children’s group facilities.
New York Vaping Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are not permitted to use where smoking is not allowed, except for a few exceptions.
North Carolina Vaping Laws
The minimum age for buying vapes is 18 years old.
In addition, vapes are banned on school property, prisons, and childcare facilities.
North Dakota E-cig Regulations
The minimum age for buying vapes is 18 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 18 to purchase vape devices unless bought with a parent.
Vapes are not allowed in tattoo shops, sterilization rooms, U of C property, and other unique campus properties.
Oklahoma Vape Laws
The minimum age for buying vapes is 18 years old.
Vapes are banned at addiction recovery centers, mental illness and gambling addiction recovery centers.
Oregon Vaping Regulations
21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.
In addition, vapes are prohibited from use where smoking is not permitted, except for a few exceptions.
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.
Rhode Island E-cig Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are prohibited from use where smoking is prohibited, except for a few exceptions. Vapes are not permitted at correctional facilities.
South Carolina Vaping Regulations
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are banned in ambulances.
South Dakota E-cig Laws
21 years old is the minimum age to purchase vape products.
Vapes are prohibited from use where smoking is prohibited. Vapes are not permitted at correctional facilities.
Tennessee Vape Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are banned at specific educational institutions.
Texas Laws For E-cigarettes and Vaping
You must be 18 years old to purchase a vape device unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse.
Vapes are restricted to demarcated smoking zones. In addition, vapes are banned at school-associated events.
Utah E-cigs Laws
To purchase from a store or distributor, you must be 19. In addition, you must be at least 18 to possess an e-cig device.
Vapes are banned wherever smoking is not allowed. In addition, Vaping is prohibited in vehicles with any passenger under 15 years of age.
Vermont Vape Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are banned wherever smoking is not allowed. Vaping is prohibited in vehicles with any passenger under 18 years of age 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 not allowed on school property or on buses.
Washington Vape Laws
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vapes are banned wherever smoking is not allowed. It is also forbidden at educational and school facilities.
West Virginia Vaping Regulations
You must be 18 to buy vape devices.
Vapes are banned wherever smoking is not allowed. It is also forbidden at educational and school facilities.
Ents.
Wisconsin Vape Laws
You must be 18 to buy vape devices.
Vaping is not allowed at State Fair Park’s main stage and indoor buildings.
Wyoming E-cig Regulations
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices.
Vaping is not allowed at childcare facilities while children are present.
State By State Vaping Regulations
This is the most comprehensive list of state-by-state vaping age regulations. We update our legal age to vape list constantly. Please understand that we cannot track every local ordinance impacting vapor products. The regulatory environment is wild and unpredictable. Seldom are vape laws enacted based on 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. No contrary information is permitted for the anti-vaping forces that have already made up their minds. Many want to make it illegal to vape altogether. Unfortunately, there is a severe lack of objective vaping age discourse occurring anywhere in America. Like other aspects of our lives, vaping age arguments have become less political, and more personal.
If you would like to let us know about any new vaping age regulations in your area, contact us and let us know.
