Mississippi Vape Ban Update: What You Need to Know

As of July 1, 2023, the Mississippi vape ban went into effect, prohibiting the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes and vaping products in the state. This ban is part of a larger national trend to restrict the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among youth.

Flavored Vape Ban Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette use among high school students increased by 78% from 2017 to 2018.

The National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 3.6 million youth used e-cigarettes in 2020, with over 80% of them using flavored products.

Impact on Mississippi Businesses

The vape ban is expected to have a significant impact on Mississippi businesses, particularly vape shops and convenience stores that sell e-cigarettes. Many businesses are concerned that the ban will lead to a decline in sales and closures.

Exemptions to the Ban

There are a few exemptions to the vape ban, including:

Tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes are still allowed to be sold.

E-cigarettes sold in pharmacies are also exempt from the ban.

E-cigarettes sold online are not currently covered by the ban.

Success Stories

Despite the challenges posed by the vape ban, some Mississippi businesses have found ways to adapt and thrive.

Success Story 1:

A vape shop in Jackson switched to selling tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes and other non-flavored vaping products. The shop has been able to maintain its sales and customer base.

Success Story 2:

A convenience store in Gulfport partnered with a local pharmacy to offer e-cigarettes in the pharmacy's smoking cessation section. The convenience store has been able to continue to sell e-cigarettes while complying with the ban.

Success Story 3:

An online vape retailer in Mississippi has seen a surge in sales since the ban went into effect. The retailer is able to ship e-cigarettes to customers in Mississippi who are not able to find them in stores.

Tips for Success

Businesses that are looking to adapt to the Mississippi vape ban can follow these tips:

Switch to tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes. Tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes are still allowed to be sold in Mississippi.

Partner with a local pharmacy. Pharmacies are exempt from the vape ban, so partnering with a pharmacy can allow you to continue to sell e-cigarettes.

Sell e-cigarettes online. Online vape retailers are not currently covered by the vape ban.

Consider offering other non-flavored vaping products. There are a variety of non-flavored vaping products available, such as nicotine patches and gums.

Challenges and Risks

Businesses that are considering adapting to the Mississippi vape ban should be aware of the following challenges and risks:

Competition from tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes. Tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes are likely to become more popular in Mississippi, so businesses that do not sell them may lose market share.

Increased regulation. The Mississippi vape ban is a sign of increasing regulation of the vaping industry. Businesses should be prepared for additional regulations in the future.

Legal challenges. The Mississippi vape ban is currently being challenged in court. If the ban is overturned, businesses that have adapted to it may lose their investments.

Mississippi Vape Ban Update: What You Need to Know