Should the legal vaping age be raised in Washington State?
Posted on February 2, 2018February 4, 2018 by. A newly proposed bill in Washington state aims to raise the state’s age requirement for purchasing vaping and tobacco products from 18 to 21 and according to one state senator, it’s all about protecting the next generation from the dangers of nicotine addiction.
How old do you have to be to buy a vape?
Whether you are asking how old do you have to be to buy a vape or how old do you have to be to own a vape, the answer on both counts is 21. In more formal language, you must be 21 to either buy or possess electronic cigarette products. These vape laws in the US are among the most strict vape laws in the world.
Do you need a license to sell vape products in Washington?
Vapor product retailers, distributors and delivery sellers must obtain a license from the LCB in order to conduct business in Washington. The penalty for failing to comply with the licensing requirement is a Class C Felony. The Board is given authorities to enforce vapor product retailer licenses.
What is the legal age to buy tobacco in Washington?
The legal age to buy tobacco is now 21. Here’s what that means in Washington state. Kevin Knapp, who owns Pure Vapor in West Seattle, said in December that Washington state’s ban on certain vaping products had hit his shop hard.
Do You gotta be 18 to buy a vape?
In most countries, the legal age for the purchase or use of vaping products is 18 years of age. In the US, which is the largest market for vapes, you now have to be at least 21 years old to legally vape. Some states have lower vaping age restrictions, though, which we'll look into later on in this article.
How old do you have to be to buy a vape WA?
18 years of agee-cigarettes are considered smoking products under the Tobacco And Other Smoking Products Act 1998. Due to it being classed under the same laws as cigarettes, e-cigarettes and e-liquid cannot be sold to children under 18 years of age or be advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets.
Can you buy bongs at 18 in Washington?
Starting January 1, 2020, Washington state law prohibits the sale of tobacco and vapor products (including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whether or not they contain nicotine or tobacco) to individuals younger than 21 years of age (RCW 26.28. 080).
Can you buy a vape at 14?
A: The federal minimum age to purchase e-cigarette products is 18, but the laws vary by state – 49 states have set a minimum age that is older than 18. Unfortunately, the majority of underage vaping users are still getting the products from local gas stations or areas in their community that sell the products.
Is vape legal in WA?
Legal status of e-cigarettes It is illegal to sell, supply or possess an e-cigarette or any liquid that contains nicotine in Australia without a doctor's prescription. Nicotine is a dangerous poison, even in small quantities, and it is strictly regulated in WA under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 (external site).
Can you buy nicotine free vape under 18?
Vaping and e-cigarettes come under the same law as smoking. This law says that it's illegal to sell any tobacco products to someone under 18. It's also illegal for someone else to buy them for you if you are under 18.
Do you have to be 21 to buy a lighter in Washington?
There is no age restriction on the sale of lighters or matches in the US, however many stores will not sell to minors. Non-novelty lighters that meet child safety requirements such as these Bic Lighters can be purchased on Amazon.
How old do you have to be to buy a puff bar in Washington?
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or obtain vapor products. A person under 21 possessing vapor products may face an infraction penalty.
Can I buy rolling papers at 18?
You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase tobacco or tobacco related products (i.e. cigarette papers, tobacco paraphernalia, instruments designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco products) in the State of California. The exception is for active duty military personnel who are 18 years of age or older.
What can a 16 year old do when vaping?
Invite your child to talk, be patient and ready to listen. If your child is caught vaping or admits to vaping, try to stay calm and non-judgmental. Listen, don't lecture. Try to understand their feelings. Avoid showing judgment.
How can I tell if my kid is vaping?
5 Warning Signs Your Child May Be VapingNew health issues. Vape – whether nicotine or marijuana – contains poisonous chemicals that can affect your child's lung and heart health. ... Behavior changes. ... Finding strange items around the house. ... Weird smells. ... Suspicious behavior or conversations with friends.
Can dentist tell if you vape?
The answer is yes. While some people switch from smoking to vaping because they may think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, studies show that it is just bad for your teeth and gums. Vaping has the same adverse effects on your oral health as smoking and your dentist WILL be able to tell.
What is a JUUL?
JUUL is a type of e-cigarette/vapor product that has become increasingly popular, especially among youth. JUULs very closely resemble a USB drive, can be charged in a USB port, and emit little to no detectable vapor or odor. Due to their easily concealable design, they are of particular concern with regard to youth use.
Vapor Product Laws
In 2016, the Washington State Legislature passed a law ( RCW 70.345) to regulate vapor products. Among other things, the law prohibits the sale of vapor products to people under 18 years of age, requires sellers to obtain a license, and requires that vapor products in stores are inaccessible to minors.
Youth Use
E-cigarette/vapor product use is now considered an epidemic by the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As cigarette use declines, new tobacco products, and electronic cigarette/vapor products, are being introduced and marketed, and thus contributing to the overall youth nicotine use rate.
More Resources
Visit our tobacco cessation page for information and resources on how to quit tobacco, including the Washington State Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and the 2MorrowHealth TM app.
How old do you have to be to buy a vape in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts E-cigarette Bans And Regulations. To purchase vape products you have to be 21 years old or have turned 18 before December 3, 2018. Vapes are banned at children’s camps. They are banned everywhere except for demarcated smoking zones.
What is the legal age to vape?
The United States Congress passed this law after the FDA released new vape laws including a minimum legal vaping age of 21. The FDA was responding to concerns about the dangers of vaping. A mysterious vape lung illness, now called EVALI by the CDC, was caused by vitamin E acetate in THC drug oils.
How old do you have to be to vape in Texas?
Texas Laws For E-cigarettes and Vaping. You must be 18 years old to purchase a vape device unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse. Vapes are restricted to demarcated smoking zones. Vapes are banned at school-associated events.
How old do you have to be to buy a vape in Oklahoma?
You must be 18 to purchase vape devices unless bought with a parent. Vapes are not allowed in tattoo shops, sterilization rooms, U of C property, and other special campus properties. Oklahoma Vape Laws. The minimum age for buying vapes is 18 years old.
How old do you have to be to vape in Kentucky?
Kentucky Vaping Regulations. You must be 18 to purchase vape devices. Banned on state property, in underground mines, and on various health facilities, highway rest areas, parks, and fairgrounds.
How old do you have to be to vape in California?
California Vape Laws. You must be 21 years old to purchase vapes unless you’re in the active military, in which case the age requirement is 18. To order vape products by mail, you must be 21. Banned in youth jails, in public areas, and around minors.
Can you vape e-liquid?
E-liquid with or without nico tine can be vaped. But there is more to vaping than nicotine. Cannabis and CBD vapes are now common. Because of the vape lung illness EVALI, several states are now moving to regulate oil-based vape substances.
What is the legal age to buy tobacco in Washington?
The legal age to buy tobacco is now 21. Here’s what that means in Washington state. Kevin Knapp, who owns Pure Vapor in West Seattle, said in December that Washington state’s ban on certain vaping products had hit his shop hard. The ban expired... (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times, 2019)
What is the legal age to buy vapor?
(Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times, 2019) The stage was set: On New Year’s Day, Washington was to become the last state on the West Coast to raise its minimum legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21. That changed suddenly last week when Congress slipped a similar provision into a massive emergency spending ...
When will the vape ban end in Washington?
Washington’s 120-day ban will expire in early February; Inslee and other lawmakers want to make it permanent in 2020. Between 2014 and 2018, there was a 20% increase in the number of youth reporting electronic cigarette or vape use in Washington, according to the state’s Healthy Youth Survey.
How much can you get fined for selling tobacco?
Stores can face fines of anywhere from $200 to $3,000 for selling to customers under 21 and risk losing their licenses.
Which city was the first to raise the purchasing age?
Needham, Massachusetts, which became one of the first cities to raise the purchasing age in 2005, showed a substantially lower youth smoking rate compared to neighboring cities, according to a study from researchers at Harvard and Brown universities.
Can you sell tobacco to minors in Washington?
Employees caught selling to minors can face a criminal charge akin to a misdemeanor, but more often get a civil fine. It will still be legal for adults under 21 to possess tobacco products and bring them into Washington from other states.
What is the legal age to vape?
The legal adult age for purchasing vaping products is 18. This may be the rule according to the FDA, but the truth is that each state has its own age restrictions when it comes to vaping products. There are even some states whose minimum age is higher than 18. The exact age when a person can legally purchase vaping products ...
How old do you have to be to vape?
In the states listed below, a person needs to be at least 21 years of age before they can purchase a vape product. This took effect in 2016. This age is for purchasing any tobacco product.
How old do you have to be to vape in California?
In California, “any tobacco product” covers both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The legal age is also 21 for those residing in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territory of Guam. In the states of Alabama and Alaska, you need to be 19 if you want to purchase and use a vaping product.
What is tobacco 21?
Tobacco 21 is an organization. Its aim is to raise the legal minimum age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21. The ultimate goal of the organization is to completely eliminate the sale of tobacco and nicotine products. Tobacco 21’s founder is Rob Crane. He is an Ohio State University medical professor.
When was the tobacco control act passed?
This is a result of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act). It is a bill signed into law on June 22, 2009, by then President Obama. The act gave the FDA regulatory powers not just over tobacco products like traditional cigarettes but on smokeless tobacco products like vaping devices.
Why is the minimum age to smoke 21 important?
They see the increase in minimum sale age to 21 as an important step in reducing smoking among the youth population. When coupled with higher tobacco taxes and strong smoke-free laws, Tobacco 21 believes that raising the minimum age to 21 will help prevent more young people from taking up smoking .
Can a child quit smoking?
This can help show to the children that smoking is not ideal for one’s health. If a parent finds it hard to quit, the next best thing is to avoid smoking or vaping in front of the children. A smoke-free home can also help prevent a child from getting into smoking. Smoking should be limited to outside the house.
Which States Allow the Purchase of Tobacco Products at Age 18?
While federal vaping regulations state citizens must be 21 years of age to purchase a vaping device, these 39 states voted to lower the legal age limit to 18:
In Which States is 19 the Legal Age to Vape?
Age restrictions in Alabama, Alaska, and Utah set the minimum age to purchase vaping products to 19.
In Which States is the Legal Age to Vape 21?
Vaping laws in California, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Virginia, mandate people must reach the age limit of 21 to legally buy vaping devices.
Vaping Age Statistics
Vaping devices, or e-cigarettes, have become a popular way to inhale nicotine throughout the country.
Why Do Younger People Like Vaping?
The percentages of teen vaping throughout the country, and ultimately the world, are concentrated in those aged 14-29.
FAQs
Now that we have explored state laws for purchasing tobacco products and the minimum age requirements for different states, we can look at some of the more frequently asked questions about vaping products and the tobacco industry.
Final Thoughts
To answer our original question, “How old do you have to be to vape,” the minimum vaping age is between 18 and 21 years old, depending on where you live and vaping laws associated with buying and using e-cigarettes.
