As 2025 unfolds, vapers across the United States are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The discussion around a potential vape ban has intensified, with disposable vapes becoming a particular focus of scrutiny. Users who have made vaping a part of their lifestyle are watching closely as federal and state authorities implement new restrictions that could significantly impact where and how retailers sell vapes.
The FDA trading standards aren’t banning all vapes in 2025, but they’re dictating which types can be sold. They’ve already said no to many flavored vapes. Only a few dozen kinds, mostly tobacco or menthol, have gotten the green light.
So, no total ban to sell vapes, but the FDA’s rules are revising the vape menu.
National Trends and Manufacturer Responses
The main concern the FDA has is preventing youth from getting addicted to nicotine. The FDA’s focus is on curbing that youth appeal, no matter the device type.
The Truth Initiative (top anti-nicotine addiction nonprofit organization) states:
“While e-cigarette use among young people has declined in recent years, it remains a serious public health threat: 10% of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2023, many of whom were not smokers in the first place.”
What are Some States Doing Regarding Vape Regulations?
States can make their own rules too, and some are tougher than the FDA. That’s where New York, Illinois, and California come in—they’re doing their own thing to control users and retailers who sell vapes.
New York
In New York, they’re not banning all vapes in 2025, but they’ve already said no to most flavored ones since 2020, including single use vapes. If it’s not tobacco-flavored, you probably can’t buy it legally in a store. The state wants to keep kids from vaping, so they’re strict. They also check shops to make sure they’re following rules, like not selling to anyone under 21.
Illinois
Illinois isn’t banning vapes completely in 2025 either, but they’re worried about kids too. The Illinois state restricts sales of vapes from brands with FDA Marketing Denial Orders. These can include single use vapes. They haven’t gone as far as New York with a flavor ban across the whole state, but some cities, like Chicago, have their own rules. Chicago banned flavored vapes in 2020, so in that city, you’re confined to tobacco or menthol. The state makes sure shops check IDs—nobody under 21 can buy vapes.
California
Since 2022, California has banned flavored vapes in stores, including single use vapes (except tobacco and menthol), and starting January 1, 2025, you can’t buy them online in the state. That means no more bubblegum or cotton candy flavors, just tobacco or menthol, if that. They’re also making a list of approved vapes by the end of 2025, and anything not on it can’t be sold.
So, is there a Vape Ban in 2025?
No, not everywhere, not all of them. Nationally, the FDA trading standards are about squeezing out flavored vapes to protect kids, but tobacco ones can stick around if approved. States like New York, Illinois, and California are tougher in their own ways. It’s less about banning vapes totally and more about controlling which ones you can get.
Things might shift again regarding vape regulations with the new president’s administration; stay tuned.
Let us know what you think in the comments about the current vape rules.
