California legislature passes bill to ban disposable nicotine vapes

The California State Legislature has passed Assembly Bill 762, which aims to ban the manufacture, import, and sale of single-use, battery-embedded nicotine vapes. The bill has moved to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval.

If signed, the law would implement a progressive ban: prohibiting the manufacture and import of these devices starting January 1, 2027, and banning their sale and distribution by January 1, 2028. To remain legal, vaping devices must be both refillable and rechargeable. Notably, the legislation excludes disposable cannabis vapes from its scope.

Proponents, including Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, argue the ban is necessary to address public health concerns and environmental hazards. They cite the massive amount of waste—estimated by CalPIRG at 500,000 disposable vapes daily in the U.S.—and the risk of lithium-ion battery fires in waste facilities. One cited incident in San Mateo County caused $8.5 million in damages. Opponents, such as the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance, contend that many of the issues targeted are already addressed by existing illegal sales regulations.