California Bans Sale of Single-Use Battery-Powered Vapes

California will ban the sale of single-use, battery-powered vapes under a law signed Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, an effort to combat plastic pollution. The ban targets disposable e-cigarettes containing tobacco, but not those containing cannabis.

The law makes it illegal to manufacture or import new or refurbished battery-embedded vapor devices starting Jan. 1, 2027. Retail sales will be prohibited beginning Jan. 1, 2028.

Violators could face fines of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for subsequent violations, according to the measure. The devices are battery-operated and often contain nicotine or cannabis, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Experts indicate that disposable vapes are popular due to their accessibility and lower cost compared to refillable devices. However, their disposal contributes to landfill waste, where batteries pose fire hazards and can leak toxic chemicals, including lead and lithium. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the bill's author, stated that the legislation aims to prevent battery acid from single-use vapes from contaminating land and waterways.

According to CalPIRG, a consumer advocacy group that supported the bill, nearly 500,000 disposable vapes are discarded daily in the United States.

Concerns were raised by industry groups regarding the potential impact of the ban. The California Grocers Association had previously argued that a similar 2022 proposal could lead to an increase in tobacco smuggling. Arkan Somo, co-founder of the Neighborhood Market Association, a group representing California small businesses, suggested that the bill would impose burdens on small businesses that sell tobacco products, questioning the scope of environmental regulations on product sales.