What are vaping restrictions in Kentucky?
Kentucky implemented significant restrictions on vaping products available for sale in the commonwealth on Jan. 1, 2025.
Many Kentuckians may be affected by the new vape ban that took effect Jan. 1, 2025. Only a select number of vape products that are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration are legal to purchase in the state.
For Kentuckians who use tobacco products, here’s what products are legal to purchase in the state, which ones aren’t and what resources are available if you’re looking into quitting.
There are 34 e-cigarette products authorized by the FDA, but they are only tobacco and menthol flavored. You will no longer find any fruit or candy flavored vapes at retailers in Kentucky.
Below is the PDF detailing exactly which vapes are authorized by the FDA and therefore legal to purchase in Kentucky.
There are no safe tobacco products, according to the FDA, and that is why there are no tobacco products that are approved by the FDA, only authorized.
“While these products are authorized to be sold in the U.S., it does not mean these products are safe nor are they ‘FDA approved,'” the document reads. “All tobacco products are harmful and potentially addictive. Those who do not use tobacco products shouldn’t start.”
The answer is likely maybe. It is unlikely that Kentucky residents will be able to purchase unauthorized vapes from online retailers, unless those retailers are located out of state.
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates vape products at the federal level and would be responsible for addressing out of state manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers,” Information Officer for the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet Ricki Gardenhire told the Courier-Journal. “In state, House Bill 11 does not create separate treatment for online sellers and in person sellers. Unauthorized vape products cannot be sold to individuals and wholesalers cannot provide unauthorized products to retailers.”
However, retailers are the ones being penalized, not Kentucky residents who are of the legal age to purchase them trying to buy them.
“There are no penalties for individual purchasers in state statutes as HB 11 regulates industry members, not individual consumers,” Gardenhire said.
If you or someone you know is interested in quitting tobacco, Kentucky has free resources to help.
Quit Now Kentucky is recommended by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for people of all ages who want to quit tobacco.
“Quit Now Kentucky offers confidential, one-on-one coaching for Kentuckians who want to quit tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, dip and chew,” the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said on their website.
Some people may even be eligible for free nicotine replacement therapy like nicotine patches, gum or lozenges.
Quit Now Kentucky is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Coaching is available by phone or online chat in English, Spanish and many other languages.
Kentucky residents can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitnowkentucky.org for resources and tools for quitting tobacco.
The fact sheet below details more about the services Quit Now Kentucky offers.
Even though you must be age 21 to purchase tobacco products in Kentucky, there are still teenagers who obtain and use tobacco. My Life My Quit is another resource in Kentucky that specializes in helping those who are 17 and younger quit tobacco.
My Life My Quit can be reached at (855) 891-9989 or by texting START MY QUIT to 36072. You can also visit their website at mo.mylifemyquit.org.
Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter on Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman or Bluesky @katiewiseman
This article was originally published by a www.courier-journal.com . Read the Original article here. .