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New vape bans in effect across NC

New vape bans in effect across NC

Ashe County disposable vape users have likely noticed diminished options at local tobacco stores and smoke shops as the North Carolina General Assembly has taken a tougher stance on the alternative nicotine delivery systems. Newly enacted legislation specifically targets disposable vapes. House Bill 900 restricts the sale of certain disposable vape pods, tightening FDA approval requirements, and prohibits the sale of popular brands, such as Elk Bar, Geek Bar, and Lost Mary. Stores continuing to sell the list of banned vaping brands that don’t meet the standard of the law could face fines. A complete list of purchasable vape products is available on the North Carolina Department of Revenue website under the Vapor Certification Directory. Protecting North Carolina youth from easy-to-obtain, colorful disposable vapes, which don’t provide nutritional value despite their artificial “gummy bear” and “chocolate” flavors, is a primary motivator for legislators in passing House Bill 900, as evidenced by a vape store compliance provision in the bill about age verification for onsite sales.

Rising vape use

Approximately 8% of adult North Carolina residents vape, according to the Truth Initiative, which is a nonprofit public education organization scrutinizing tobacco companies and businesses specializing in alternative nicotine delivery products. Nearly 24% of high school students used a vaping product in 2021, according to the initiative, which could’ve provided an impetus for the new legislation as the technology for disposable vapes has evolved. The 2019 North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey said this increase represents a 1,129% increase from 2011 to 2019. A third of NC high school seniors vape regularly, according to the survey.

Health concerns

Vaping’s health risks, including nicotine addiction, are spurious and beguiling as the colorful marketing and playful branding that embellish Gen Z’s slang while appealing to younger tastes. “The rise in use of e-cigarettes by youth is alarming,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for DHHS, in a press release. “We now have a new generation of youth at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine, and they may not even know it. The use of nicotine by school-age children is a concern because human brain development continues to age 25. Early exposure to nicotine can negatively impact brain development, attention, learning, and memory. It can also prime the brain for future addiction.”

Potential Kratom regulation

Lawmakers are also reconsidering regulations for kratom, which is also sold at certain tobacco outlets. NC House Bill 468, which remains in committee for consideration, would establish sale and possession regulations for kratom, including an under-the-age-of-21 restriction. The bill would also require retailers to obtain licenses to sell kratom products. If passed, the bill would also impose other regulations for the kratom industry, such as requiring lab testing, licensing for vendors, and clear labeling of products. The bill would not classify kratom as a controlled substance, although it could ban synthetic kratom compounds and analogous substances.