US Tobacco & Vape Law Roundup: State Actions in June 2025

Roundup of June 2025 state actions on tobacco & vaping: Tax hikes in Delaware & Indiana, flavor ban considered in CA, new laws in CT, OR & RI.

The regulatory landscape for tobacco and vaping products across the United States remains highly active, with state and local governments continuously reviewing and updating legislation. June 2025 has seen a flurry of activity, from proposed tax hikes and flavor bans to new enforcement task forces and age restriction alignments. This roundup highlights some of the most significant proposals and approved changes happening in various states, reflecting a nationwide trend towards stricter controls on nicotine products.

California: Mountain View Considers Comprehensive Flavor Ban

In the heart of Silicon Valley, the city of Mountain View is taking steps towards implementing a comprehensive ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and related vape items. City officials are looking to partner with Santa Clara County to develop a local ordinance that would significantly tighten Mountain View’s existing tobacco regulations. This initiative reflects a growing trend among California municipalities to enact stricter local laws that go beyond state-level requirements. The city plans to continue conducting outreach to local businesses and advisory committees before a formal ordinance is presented to the Mountain View City Council for a vote later this year. This move signals a continued focus on reducing the appeal of flavored products, particularly to youth, within the Bay Area.

Connecticut: New Task Force to Combat Illegal Sales

The state of Connecticut has passed a new bill aimed at strengthening its civil and criminal laws regarding illegal cannabis sales, with implications for the nicotine market as well. The legislation establishes a new Hemp and Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, designed to enhance collaboration between state agencies and municipalities in enforcement actions. A key component of this bill is a crackdown on underage online sales of nicotine products. This reflects a growing concern among lawmakers about the ease with which minors can access vapes and other nicotine items through e-commerce channels, and the need for a more coordinated enforcement approach to address this issue.

Delaware: Major Tobacco and Vape Tax Hikes Proposed

In Dover, Delaware lawmakers have filed legislation that proposes tax increases across a range of tobacco and vaping products. The bill aims to increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack, which would raise the total from $2.10 to $3.60. This would position Delaware’s cigarette tax above that of neighboring Pennsylvania ($2.60) and New Jersey ($2.70), though still below the higher rates in Maryland and New York.

The proposed legislation also includes several other key tax hikes:

The tax on other tobacco products (OTP) would rise from 30% to 45% of the wholesale price.
The tax on moist snuff would increase from 92 cents to $1.23 per ounce.
The tax on vapor products would see a fivefold increase, jumping from 5 cents to 25 cents per milliliter.

The bill also proposes several changes to Delaware’s tobacco licensing system. If signed into law, these new tax rates would take effect in September, representing a significant move to generate state revenue and discourage tobacco and vape use through higher costs.

Georgia: Renewed Push for Cigarette Tax Increase

In Atlanta, a bill has been proposed to raise Georgia’s state tax on cigarettes from its current level of 37 cents to $1.37 per pack. This represents a substantial $1 increase. While similar proposals have been attempted by lawmakers for years without success, proponents believe that recent cuts at the federal level for tobacco prevention programs may add a new sense of urgency to the cause. The aim is to generate state-level funding for public health initiatives and to deter smoking through increased prices.

Indiana: Cigarette Tax to Triple, Other Nicotine Products Also Hiked

The state of Indiana is set for a major tax overhaul on nicotine products. Effective July 1st, the state’s cigarette tax will triple, rising from approximately $1 to $3 per pack. This significant increase also extends to other products, with taxes on cigars, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco items also set to rise. This move follows years of proposals that had previously stalled in the Indiana Senate before finally passing this year with support from both lawmakers and Governor Mike Braun, signaling a strong new fiscal approach to tobacco and nicotine regulation in the state.

Read more:

Vaping Laws in Indiana: Age, Sales Ban Bill & Tax Guide

Maine: Potential Ban on Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies

Lawmakers in Augusta, Maine, are considering a bill that could prohibit pharmacies from selling tobacco products. If the proposed legislation passes, the ban would take effect by April 2026. Businesses found in violation after this date would face fines. This initiative reflects a public health strategy aimed at separating the sale of health and wellness products from tobacco items, thereby reducing the social acceptability and accessibility of cigarettes and other nicotine products in healthcare-adjacent settings.

North Carolina: Aligning with Federal “Tobacco 21” Law

In Raleigh, North Carolina, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would finally raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21. This move would bring North Carolina into compliance with the federal “Tobacco 21” law, which was passed in 2019. North Carolina is currently one of only seven states that has not yet passed its own state-level law to align with the federal standard. The push for this change is aimed at creating a consistent legal framework and strengthening efforts to prevent youth access to nicotine products.

Oregon: New Tax Proposed for Oral Nicotine Products

The Oregon legislature is considering a new bill that would introduce a specific tax on oral nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches. The proposed excise tax, which would be effective January 1, 2026, is structured as follows:

For packages containing 20 consumable units or less: 65 cents per package.
For packages with more than 20 consumable units: 3.25 cents per consumable unit.

The bill has already passed the House, and in late June, the Senate Rules Committee recommended that the bill “Do Pass,” indicating strong momentum for its final approval. This move targets the growing market for oral nicotine products and aims to generate revenue, potentially for specific state programs like wildfire prevention.

Rhode Island: Expanding and Taxing Nicotine Pouches

In Providence, Rhode Island, a new bill has passed both the House and Senate and was sent to Governor Daniel McKee in late June. This legislation expands the state’s definition of “other tobacco products” (OTP) to explicitly include nicotine pouches. It would then tax these newly categorized products at the current OTP rate of 80% of the wholesale cost, effective October 1, 2025. The bill also provides for a floor tax on other tobacco products that were not previously taxed. This move ensures that newer oral nicotine products are captured under the state’s existing high-tax-rate structure for tobacco products, aiming to discourage their use and generate revenue.

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