HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – A new state law takes into effect on Sunday, regulating the sale of vape products in stores that don’t have age restriction policies.
Alabama’s HB 8, set to take into effect on Sunday, will restrict what vape and tobacco products a lot of stores can sell in an effort to keep these out of the hands of people under 21 years old.
This new law targets places without age limits upon entry, like gas stations and convenience stores.
It restricts them to only selling 34 tobacco and vape products that are currently FDA approved. It also bans selling vapes in vending machines and gives harsher penalties for selling these products to underage customers (up to $1,000 fine for first offense, up to $2,500 fine for second offense, up to $5,000 fine for third offense).
McKane Sutton, who works at Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary, says it’s a good move to keep these products away from kids who previously would’ve had such easy access at these stores without age restrictions.
“A kid could just walk in and grab a candy bar, and then that’s right there on the desk when they go to cash out,” Sutton said. “That’s not cool.”
Sutton says Mary Jane’s Dispensary and most other vape shops don’t have to worry about this law because they already have an age restriction policy at the door. No customers under 21 are allowed, and he says they strongly enforce it.
“You have to be 21 in a store like this. That’s why we’re safe, you know?” he said. “It’s just because we have to be serious about it. We want the best thing for you. We want to actually get it to you properly, legally.”
Sutton also says while this law aims to do a good thing, he’s concerned it might create an even bigger black market for underaged vapers trying to get their hands on these products.
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