‘We hate to see people lose their choice’: new vape laws hit January 1st

WINCHESTER, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Fans of watermelon ice, sour apple, or white peach slushy e-cigarettes will no longer be able to purchase the devices here in Kentucky starting January 1st, 2025.

“We are devastated for the customers. They absolutely love this stuff,” Brad Wells with Redwing Liquor & Tobacco said. “They may have a favorite, but they come in every week looking to try a different flavor. It’s honestly a hobby for most people.”

A hobby the legislators who worked to pass House Bill 11 say is harmful to Kentuckians, especially those who are under 21.

While the current law says retailers are not allowed to sell nicotine products to anyone under 21, this new law has added a ban to the kinds of products these retailers can sell to anyone.

“We hate to see people lose their choice, consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want, but your politicians have decided to take that choice away from you,” Wells said.

All of redwings vape products will come off the shelves when the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Day, but legislators didn’t ban all vape products in the state.

“Currently the FDA has restricted down to three vapes, we have none of those, we’re waiting on them from our suppliers,” he said. “The key to FDA approval is no flavoring and no colorful packaging.”

As underage vaping continues to rise in the country, politicians hope to see a decline in Kentucky with House Bill 11 in effect.

“You will find some little old ladies, you know, 70-years-old coming through telling you how much they value this over smoking,” Wells said.