Mississippi Becomes 11th State to Pass PMTA Registry Law

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has signed HB 916 into law, making the state the 11th in the U.S. to pass a tobacco industry-sponsored PMTA registry law. The law will restrict the sale of most disposable vapes, bottled e-liquids, and refillable vape devices, creating a significant market advantage for products made by major tobacco companies like Altria Group (NJOY vapes) and R.J. Reynolds (Vuse).

The law passed both the Mississippi State House and Senate with unanimous votes in January and March, respectively. While it technically takes effect on July 1, 2025, the state registry—a list of vape products legal to sell—will not be in place until Oct. 1, and enforcement provisions will not be operational until about Dec. 1.

Under the new law, vape manufacturers selling products in Mississippi must certify under penalty of perjury that their products have either received FDA marketing authorization or have applied for authorization through the FDA’s premarket tobacco application (PMTA) pathway and are still being considered, have received a marketing denial order (MDO) that has been stayed, or have had their MDO rescinded or vacated by a court.

Read more: FDA Authorized E-Cigarette List: What’s Really Included?

Manufacturers must submit certifications and payments of $500 per product by Sept. 1, 2025, for each product they want to sell legally in the state beginning Oct. 1. Each variation of a single product (nicotine strength, flavor, coil resistance, etc.) must be applied and paid for separately.

After a 60-day grace period following the publication of the state directory, all products not listed will be considered illegal contraband, subject to seizure, forfeiture, and destruction at the seller’s expense. The law specifies fines and other penalties for violators, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per product per day.

Mississippi’s PMTA registry law, like others, was created and promoted in the state legislature by tobacco industry lobbyists working for either Altria or R.J. Reynolds.

At least 20 state legislatures are currently considering PMTA registry bills, with bills in Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina having already passed one house of the legislature. The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) has issued Calls to Action in several states, providing a simple way for consumers to oppose registry bills in their state.

Ten states have passed PMTA registry laws in previous years, with Oklahoma being the earliest in 2021. Six states passed registry laws in 2024, and five states now have fully operational PMTA registries: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. North Carolina‘s law takes effect May 1, while Virginia and Wisconsin‘s registry laws become operational July 1. Registry laws in Iowa and Utah, scheduled to take effect already this year, have been held up by court challenges.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.