New Kentucky laws include major vaping restrictions

The legalization of medical marijuana has had all the headlines going into the new year, but another major change is coming for Kentucky smokers.

House Bill 11 goes into effect January 1, limiting sales of vape products to only those that have received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

As of December, the FDA had only approved less than 40 vape product applications, out of more than a million that exist in the country.

As a safety measure for youth smokers, the new law also introduces fines for businesses caught selling vapes to anyone under 21, with a fourth strike resulting in the loss of the ability to sell vape products for a year. 

Altria, a tobacco company and parent of NJOY, is reportedly one of only three manufacturers of the FDA’s list of authorized e-cigarette products, and according to Louisville Public Media, they lobbied in favor of HB11, and spent more than $146,000 doing so in 2024.



(AP File photo)