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What’s still legal, what’s flying off shelves and how vape shops are bracing for impact
It’s time for North Carolina to puff, puff, pass on vapes. Starting July 1, most vapes in NC will become illegal, thanks to a quietly passed bill signed by former Gov. Roy Cooper last year. The ban targets non-FDA-approved products—aka nearly every disposable vape lining smoke shop shelves. So if you’re still clutching your Lost Mary, brace yourself… she’s about to be really lost.
“People are losing their minds,” said a staffer at Tobacco Maxx on Peace Street, who confirmed the scramble is real. “Why change something that hits and risk losing the fan base—and especially when we’re just one state. … We have a guy working on it in the legislature, but at this point it’s not going to go anywhere.”
While the law technically went into effect May 1, the state built in a 60-day grace period—hence the official July 1 start date. Only a very short list of FDA-authorized options will legally allowed to be sold—mostly plain tobacco-flavored pods from brands like NJOY, Logic, Vuse, MyBlu and Crossbar, according to the state’s new vapor certification directory.
In order to even appear on that list, manufacturers have to cough up $2,000 to certify products—plus $500 annually. And that doesn’t include submitting federal documentation proving FDA approval or pending authorization.
Once the ban goes into effect, retailers can expect unannounced inspections, steep fines and even product seizures—plus warnings and mandatory reinspections on first offenses. Come strike two, licenses can be suspended. And strike three? Think fines, revocation and a possible bonfire of confiscated mango mint.
But wait—there is a catch: A major loophole is baked into the law. Vape products that have applied and are waiting for FDA pre-market authorization are still allowed to be sold—even denied products under appeal can keep hitting shelves. So while the law looks like a crackdown, critics argue it still leaves the door open for many flavored and foreign vapes to stay in circulation.
Locally, parents and teachers are cheering the ban for finally clearing the air—literally. One Raleigh mom, whose kid’s high school deals with constant vape-triggered fire alarms and evacuations, shares, “I couldn’t be more thrilled about this new law. I’m so tired of grown adults vaping in restaurants and bars, acting like no one can see them. It’s out of control.”
But while the state might be tightening the reins, vape loyalists are doubling down. In the lead-up to the ban, shops are reporting panic buying and low stock. Case in point: According to Tobacco Maxx, fan-favorite flavors are flying off the shelves and prices are doubling. We reached out to seven more vape shops across Raleigh, but none were willing to go on the record—adding to the uncertainty around what exactly happens next. We’ll keep you updated as the smoke clears.
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This is BS .If it’s taxed and the person is old enough,it should be allowed as long as it’s Delta 8 and no stronger
EXACTLY!!
No this ban
is tobacco based vapes.
Enjoy me smoking real cigarettes at the entrance to every establishment
My friend just opened a vape shop just across the NC/VA state line. He’s completely out of inventory this week because of people crossing state lines to purchase. He is already looking for a larger store front because his business has and will continue to increase exponentially. Like he said, “I’m basically printing money up here.” I asked him if people were buying a lot of items to resell them to their friends. He winked and shrugged. Lol.
People seem to be upset with the smoking of these flavored vapes, but rest assured our teen kids and adults will just move on or back on, which I don’t want to do, to smoking cigarettes in everyone’s faces. Vapes at least only contains nicotine, where as cigarettes contain nicotine and tar. The way I look at it is that it’s my body to do what I want to do with and for all the parents worried about their kids smoking vapes, how about watching and teaching them right from wrong. I don’t feel that grown adults should be punished for what unattended teens do
I smoked cigarettes when I was 10. Vapes are just the new thing! Parents just need to properly educate their kids at an early age of the risks! I am 30 now and vapes helped me quit cigarettes! Its my damn right to get cancer from micro plastics instead of tobacco! I know the risks but after working 8-10 hours, I want to enjoy a vape and music on my way home. The alternative is road rage. Choose carefully.
Stupidest thing ever 😂 now all your kids can just smoke cigarettes 😂
Obviously a lobbying game about money between big tobacco companies that got hurt on cig sales, FDA Mafia wanting their share, and greedy politicians including Cooper Pooper (Stay gone plz everyone I know hates you).
Yeah kids shouldn’t be doing adult stuff, but the rhetoric they are using with this, is a barely veiled money scheme using kids as an excuse to get their way.
When are we going to get from scientists why vapes are villianized anyways. PG, VG, flavoring, and Nicotine…oh wow Nicotine w/ the same chemical compounds as Caffeine is so evil. Don’t get me started on unsubstantiated claims about cancer…Go check FDA’s class tiers for Carcinogens and what’s included to get a good laugh.
No More False Flag Facade Laws By The Government!!!
Imma be blowing cigarette smoke in everyone’s face. YALL DISGUST ME