Pennsylvania Passes PMTA Registry Bill Banning Unapproved Vape Products
A significant piece of legislation targeting the vaping industry is currently sitting on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk, awaiting his signature. The bill, which cleared the state legislature with a bipartisan majority despite some opposition, aims to ban the sale of all vape products that have not been approved by the federal government.
If enacted, this law would prohibit retailers from selling any e-cigarette or vaping device that lacks authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This move would effectively remove a vast number of products currently on the market, particularly flavored disposable vapes that have not undergone the rigorous FDA pre-market application process. The bill has been described as the most controversial among the recent batch sent to the governor, having received 56 “no” votes from House Republicans.
The penalties for non-compliance are strict. Retailers found selling illegal, unapproved vape products would face a fine of up to $500 for each product sold during a first offense. Subsequent violations would see fines escalate to $1,500 and could result in the revocation of the retailer’s nicotine sales license. If signed soon by Governor Shapiro, or if allowed to become law without his signature after 10 days, the ban would take effect in four months, likely around April 2025. This legislation marks a major shift in Pennsylvania’s approach to regulating the vaping market, aligning state enforcement more closely with federal authorization status.
- Read more: PMTA Registries vs. Flavor Bans – What’s Happening in 2025?
- News source: PA bills for wider alcohol sales, ban of some vape products await Shapiro’s signature
