SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers have introduced a bill that could make the state the first in the U.S. to ban the sale of disposable vapes, a measure aimed at reducing plastic pollution. Announced on Wednesday, the legislation seeks to eliminate single-use electronic cigarettes, which are often discarded after one use.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the bill’s author, emphasized the environmental hazards posed by disposable vapes, particularly the risk of battery acid contaminating land and waterways. “We must transition away from these harmful single-use devices, and AB 762 will do just that,” Irwin stated during a news conference in Sacramento.
The proposed legislation would prohibit the sale or distribution of new or refurbished disposable vapes starting January 1, 2026. It also sets forth penalties for violations, with fines ranging from $500 for a first offense to $2,000 for subsequent violations.
This initiative follows a global trend, as countries like Belgium and the United Kingdom have also moved to ban single-use vapes. In the U.S., however, previous attempts in California and New York have not succeeded.
California has previously enacted several laws targeting plastic pollution, including bans on single-use plastic bottles in hotels, Styrofoam food containers, and plastic carryout bags at grocery stores.
The California Grocers Association has voiced concerns over the potential for increased tobacco smuggling as a result of such bans. Arkan Somo, co-founder of the Neighborhood Market Association, argued that the bill would disproportionately affect small, family-owned businesses. “If we’re going to take the environment as an excuse to keep banning these products, where is that going to stop?” Somo questioned. “They’re really putting California at a huge disadvantage.”
The state has implemented other regulatory measures in recent years, including a 2020 law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that banned most flavored tobacco products to curb use among minors. Additionally, California and over 30 other states have imposed taxes on e-cigarettes.
Advocates of the new bill argue that disposable vapes not only contribute to environmental pollution but also target vulnerable populations, particularly children. Tony Hackett of Californians Against Waste described them as “designed for maximum addiction and minimum accountability.”
Carolina Saavedra, a staff attorney with the Public Health Law Center, noted that disposable vapes are often cheaper and more accessible than refillable options. However, she highlighted the environmental risks, including heavy metals and hazardous materials found in vape waste. Saavedra lauded the bill as an “exciting step” toward addressing these issues.
The proposal reflects a broader effort to address both environmental and public health concerns associated with vaping products, as the state continues to grapple with the implications of disposable e-cigarette waste.
