Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 6328 into law on Tuesday. It will create a set of policies for businesses selling the smoking alternatives, such as requiring them to purchase licenses through the state's Liquor and Cannabis Board and display signs reminding customers that buying the product is illegal for people under the age of 18.
Under existing law, there are few rules governing the sale of vapor products in the state. It's illegal to sell an e-cigarette to people under the age of 18, but the law is difficult to enforce, according to some who worked to pass the new regulations and the state Department of Health. The licensing will put money toward enforcing the age requirement.
Among other new rules contained in the bill, vaping products will now need labels warning users of their health effects, and liquid nicotine containers will need child-proof packaging. It also bans vaping in many public places such as schools, elevators, playgrounds, school buses and more.
Mary McHale, a policy expert in the state for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the regulations are perhaps the strictest among states in the nation, and are aimed at preventing youths from vaping.
