We have been working hard to protect the interests of our members and promote a smoke-free future for all Floridians. We are pleased to report that our efforts during the recent legislative session were successful, as we were able to navigate several bills with no loss to the vaping industry. However, our work is far from over.
With the end of the legislative session on May 5, we must now focus on maintaining our relationships with lawmakers and making sure our voices are heard during the off-session. To this end, we encourage our members and supporters to donate today to the Florida Smoke-Free Association. Your donations help us stay in touch with legislators and continue our advocacy efforts throughout the year. Together, we can build a healthier, smoke-free future for Florida.
In line with federal nicotine consumption laws, Florida’s minimum age for both vaping and smoking is 21. The state requires a retail license for e-cigarette sales. A 2019 update to the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act requires indoor workplaces to prohibit both smoking and vaping, though employees may vape in outdoor workplaces. Vaping is generally banned wherever smoking is banned.
Federal laws and policies regarding vaping continue to evolve, especially with changes to tobacco industry regulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to regulate the manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of e-cigarettes and other vaping products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. In December 2020, Congress passed a law raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years of age. (State minimum purchasing ages may still vary.)
Additionally, the FDA has proposed banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, which could have an impact on the vaping industry. At the state and local level, many jurisdictions have implemented further regulations on vaping, such as taxation and flavor bans. While local restrictions are limited in scope, there is always a potential for these restrictions to be used as models for federal law.
For members of the Florida Smoke-Free Association, being a good partner means actively participating in our efforts to promote smoke-free policies and protect the vaping industry. One of the most important ways to do this is to visit lawmakers during the off-season. By meeting with legislators and building relationships with them outside of the frenzied pace of the legislative session, we can help ensure that our voices are heard throughout the year. It’s important to be familiar with their faces so we can approach them as needed to update them on the latest vaping industry developments. By being a consistent presence and building trust with lawmakers, we can help protect the vaping industry and safeguard Floridians’ access to healthier tobacco alternatives.
