GM Vape Nerds!
What a week. From coast to coast, lawmakers are hellbent on making vaping more expensive, more restricted, and less accessible — just in time for summer.
But amidst all the legislative madness, there’s a new sheriff at the FDA… and he might not be the villain this time. 👀
👀 QUICK HIT LIST:
- 💸 State-level vape tax hikes incoming
- 🚫 Over 30 states trying to wipe out flavored vapes
- 🧾 PMTA registries creeping into local laws
- 🥼 FDA’s new boss could shake things up (for real)
- ❌ Utah pulls the trigger on full enforcement
💵 STATE TAX BILLS AIM TO BLEED VAPERS DRY
About 20 states are looking to slap new or increased taxes on vaping products — especially closed systems like disposables and pods.
These proposals aren’t just minor tweaks either; they could seriously jack up prices at the register.
Why it matters:
This isn't just about paying a few extra cents.
These tax hikes are part of a broader trend to treat vaping just like smoking — despite the fact they’re not the same thing.
The lawmakers pushing this often lump vapes into cigarette tax frameworks, ignoring the harm reduction angle.
For users, it means higher costs across the board — whether you're buying pods, juice, or a whole-ass mod.
For small vape shops? It’s yet another punch in the gut.
Some states even want to tax synthetic nicotine products before the FDA has even ruled on them.
TL;DR: it’s a cash grab disguised as public health.
🚫 FLAVOR BANS & PMTA REGISTRIES: THE STATE-BY-STATE CRACKDOWN
More than 30 state legislatures are now juggling bills that would either ban flavored vaping products or create their own PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) registries.
Some are doing both. And no — this isn’t just talk. Bills are already moving.
Why it matters:
Flavored products are the reason most adults switched from smoking to vaping in the first place.
These laws are trying to erase all options but tobacco flavor, making vaping less appealing, especially for new switchers.
PMTA registries, meanwhile, mean a product can only be sold if it’s filed and approved — or at least submitted — under the FDA’s rules.
Sounds nice on paper, but it often leads to legal gray zones and banned shelf stock overnight.
It’s like banning cookies because people eat too many, then requiring each cookie recipe to be FDA-approved. Madness.
🧠 NEW FDA COMMISSIONER MARTIN MAKARY: SAVIOR OR SAME OLD SH*T?
The FDA just got a fresh face at the top — Dr. Martin Makary.
He’s a surgeon, a Johns Hopkins prof, and now... the head honcho of the agency that controls whether your vape lives or dies.
Why it matters:
Makary isn’t a career regulator. He’s someone who’s publicly called out government overreach and defended medical freedom.
During his confirmation hearing, he hinted at going after the illegal vapes flooding the market — but didn’t signal open war on legal products.
That’s a departure from his predecessors, who basically treated vapers like criminals.
So there’s cautious optimism in the vape community that he might actually focus on real issues (like black market stuff) instead of choking out small businesses and harm-reduction efforts.
Still, the FDA is a big beast, and change doesn’t happen overnight. But hey — for once, there’s a flicker of hope.
Let’s see if he walks the talk.
🛑 UTAH JUST WENT FULL BAN MODE — AND IT’S BAD
Utah's Senate Bill 61 — which includes a full flavor ban, a PMTA registry, and a max nicotine cap (4%/40mg) — is officially in full effect.
After a judge rejected a request to pause enforcement, vape shops across the state are now in crisis mode.
Why it matters:
Utah already banned online vape sales back in 2016, so local shops were the only way to buy refillables and flavored juice.
Now? They're forced to stop selling the very products their business models depend on.
Vape shop owners are staring down the barrel of bankruptcy while a lawsuit challenging the law drags on.
A bill that would've let shops keep selling flavored products failed in the state House — so unless something changes, Utah’s vape scene might not survive the year.
This is what a vape apocalypse looks like in real time, folks.
👊 Bottom line: If you vape in the U.S., keep your eyes wide open. Lawmakers are moving fast, and your rights to choose safer alternatives are on the chopping block in state after state.
Want a deeper dive into any of these? Or wanna sound off about what’s happening in your state? You know where to find us.
