New Vaping Regulations Begin Across Nebraska

Nebraska is taking on new statewide vape regulations with a registry law that went into effect on July 19.

It’s a double-edged law: one side, trying to keep electronic nicotine devices out of the hands of children, another aiming at broader consumer protections. The law prohibits vapes with advertisements targeting kids, like those with cartoon characters or ones that look like school supplies.

“When I went around the state and met with law enforcement, I would always ask, ‘What is the top issues you’re seeing?’” Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said. “And one of the top five issues I saw around the state and heard from them were vapes in the hands of children, hands of kids,” according to media reports.

The other side of the law aims to protect consumers from potentially harmful chemicals. It will set up a registry through the Department of Revenue. Companies will have to pay $75 for each type or model of vape device to get on the registry. By October 2025, it will be against the law to sell any product not on that list.

“I think that what it will do is weed out the good actors from the bad actors,” said Sarah Linden, owner of Generation V. Linden helped work on the regulations, aiming to destigmatize an industry she said is designed to help people stop smoking.