North Carolina’s Vape Product Ban Takes Effect on July 1st
HB 900 Restricts Sales to State-Approved Directory, Banning Popular Brands like Elf Bar
A new law changing the landscape for vaping products in North Carolina takes full effect on July 1, 2025. House Bill 900 (HB 900), which technically became law on May 1st, provided vendors a 60-day grace period to comply. Starting July 1st, retailers must only sell disposable tobacco vapor products that are listed on the North Carolina Department of Revenue’s (NCDOR) newly created directory of approved vape products.
This registry notably excludes certain highly popular brands such as Elf Bar, Geek Bar, and Lost Mary, making their sale illegal in the state. However, the law does not constitute a full flavor ban; the approved directory still contains almost 900 disposable vape products, including many flavored options. The legislation is aimed at regulating the market and ensuring products meet certain standards, likely tied to federal FDA requirements.
It’s important to note that HB 900 does not affect the sale of THC vapes or other cannabis products, which are sold under a separate legal framework in North Carolina. The new law comes as data shows North Carolina has higher-than-average rates of both adult and youth vaping. According to the American Lung Association, 7.9% of NC adults used vapor products (compared to a 6% national average), and 23.8% of NC youth reported using them, despite the legal purchase age being 21.
