South Carolina Senate Advances Vape Registry Bill

South Carolina lawmakers are advancing a bill that would restrict vape shops to selling only FDA-approved products. Supporters, including major tobacco companies, say the goal is to inform retailers and consumers about what products are legal to market.

“The goal is to try and protect our children from getting hooked on nicotine and using what I call these attractive nuisance vape products at a very young age,” said Senator Brad Hutto, a lead sponsor of the bill.

Hutto and Senator Thomas Alexander co-authored the legislation, which proposes the establishment of an official registry listing all FDA-approved vape products.

The State Attorney General would oversee this registry, effectively prohibiting the sale of any product not included. Opponents, including vape shop owners, say the bill will hurt their industry.

Any retailer found selling unapproved products could face severe penalties, including fines and suspension of their business license. If signed into law, the registry must be operational by September 1, 2024, or whenever the Attorney General releases it for the first time, whichever happens later.

Several states have passed or are considering vape registry laws.