Flavored Vape Pen Products Ban Bill in Vermont Fails

A bill that would ban the sale of flavored vape pen products and flavored tobacco products in Vermont fails. Since the Vermont General Assembly has adjourned for this year.

S.B. 18 will bans the sale of tobacco products and vape pen products that have distinctive flavors other than tobacco.

In addition, just Like bills recently introduced in other states, the bill also includes a provision. The provision stats that a vape pen product is considered flavored if a company claims it has “a distinguishable flavor or aroma other than the flavor or aroma of tobacco.”

Flavored Vape Pen Products Ban Bill in Vermont Fails.
The Vermont Senate, photo by Oliver Parini

At late March, the S.B. 18 gets passed by The Vermont Senate. However, it failed to get out of the Vermont House Committee on Human Services.

Flavored vape pen products bans have been proposed in a number of states in early 2023.

However, California and Massachusetts are the only states with a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and flavored vape pen products. Although the bans of these two states include exemptions for the sale of some flavored cigars.

In Massachusetts, the exemption allows specialized cigar lounges to continue selling flavored cigars. While in California allows to sell flavored cigars that have a wholesale price of $12.

Many flavored vape companies have taken ways to the bans, but their impact has been felt.

Drew Estate, for example, has announced that it would no longer sell three types-Ambrosia, Isla del Sol and Tabak Especial-to California. Which means, the company will continue to sell its popular ACID series. Drew Estate told retailers that it believes the rest of its flavored vape products series would not be banned in California.

“as they do not have a distinguishable taste or aroma that could be deemed a ‘characterizing flavor.'”

At the same time, some cigarette manufacturers have responded to the California law. They are replacing menthol cigarettes with new cigarettes. It is reported that this kind of cigarettes contain a synthetic cooling agent that could have a similar effect to menthol.

Earlier this year, the head of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products said the agency hoped to announce a nationwide ban in the fall of 2023. It will ban on flavored cigars, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored vape pen products.