Oklahoma to Regulate Vape Sales via Product Registry

Oklahoma bill restricts vaping vehicles minors

An Oklahoma Senate bill that would create a state-managed directory of legally saleable vapor products has advanced to an oversight committee after a 5-2 vote. Senate Bill 1102 (SB 1102), authored by Senator Bill Coleman, aims to tighten regulations on the state’s vape market by requiring manufacturers to certify their products with the Oklahoma Attorney General.

Under the proposed legislation, manufacturers must submit an attestation under penalty of perjury, confirming that they have either received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or have a timely filed Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) that remains under active review. The bill would require an initial payment of $5,000 and a $2,500 annual renewal fee for this certification.

House co-author Rep. Cynthia Roe stated the measure is designed to allow companies with pending PMTAs to sell legally while targeting illicit products. “There are stores that are selling products coming in on the black market… That’s the ones we’re targeting,” Roe said, also noting concerns about unknown ingredients and long-term health effects of unregulated vapes.

However, the bill faces opposition. Rep. Scott Fetgatter expressed hesitation, pointing out that the FDA has only approved a very small fraction of the millions of PMTA applications submitted. He and consumer advocacy groups like CASAA argue the bill effectively supports “big tobacco” companies (whose products are more likely to have FDA status) and will limit consumer choice, put independent vape shops out of business, and potentially drive former smokers back to cigarettes. The bill’s language is expected to be further amended as it moves through the legislative process.

Matthew Ma
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