VAPE SHOPS & MINORS: The Latest News From a Vape Shop Owner’s Perspective
By Julia – February 2, 2016
This article is written from the perspective of a Vape Shop Owner in hopes of shedding some light on how many of us view the issue of minors and our shops.
There is not a day that goes by that the media does not talk about vaping and minors. Sometimes they are positive articles like new studies that suggest vaping can help you quit smoking, other times they are negative like reports of e-cigarette companies selling to minors. For vape shop owners, these stories are important. We are worried, as you are, about the future of vaping and our industry. We are working together, and individually, to ensure that minors do not have access to vape gear.
I, A Vape Shop Owner
I own a vape shop and I’m a vaper. The only reason I opened my shop was to help people switch from smoking to vaping. My shop is designed to introduce smokers to the world of vaping with starter kits, eLiquid, and good solid information. When a minor walks through my door it means I and my staff have failed. It means we have failed because our systems for preventing minors from entering are not working. From our age gate to our in-store age verification, we are doing our best to prevent a minor from walking in and trying to purchase anything related to vaping. We do not sell anything that is not vape-related and we do not allow minors into our vape shop unless they are with their legal guardian.
If a minor enters my shop unaccompanied or is not with their legal guardian, they are asked to leave. No exceptions. We don’t ask for ID from anyone that doesn’t look like they are 27 or younger. We just ask them to leave. Most minors that try to enter the store get it, they understand, and they leave without an issue. Once in a while we’ll get a disgruntled teen, but they always leave. We would never sell to a minor. To do so would mean we are going against everything we stand for. It would also lead to heavy fines, jail time, and the loss of my business. Any legitimate vape shop owner would tell you the same thing.
This brings me to the point of this article. The laws are changing for vape shops and they are changing fast. We want to be part of the solution, not the problem. The majority of vape shop owners I know are like me. We want to see our industry flourish, we want to see more people switch from smoking to vaping, and we want to prevent minors from vaping. Vape shops are doing more to prevent minors than convenience stores, gas stations, or supermarkets. We are in the business of helping people, not harming them.
The Current State of Vape Shops
Just like alcohol, age limits for purchasing vaping products should be 18 and older. Most vape shops are following that rule, even when the state law doesn’t enforce an age limit. The reality is that the new laws being passed in different states will force age limits across the board. Take Florida for instance, where Governor Rick Scott signed a bill into law requiring vape shops to ID anyone under 27 years of age. Some states are even trying to make the age limit 21, as it is with alcohol. This, in my opinion, is a huge mistake. If vaping is not smoking, and if vaping is not alcohol, then it should not be treated as such. While I don’t believe vaping is a gateway to smoking, I do believe that setting a 21 age limit will lead to a black market where minors can easily access products. The 18 age limit should stand, and it should be enforced to the fullest extent.
The FDA has already deemed e-cigarettes to be tobacco products. This classification alone is frightening, and it could mean we are in for a serious battle. If the FDA does deem e-cigs to be tobacco products and decides to enforce the new rule with the same rigor it has with tobacco products, then vape shops will be the first ones to go under. This means more smoking, not less. What’s more, vape shops are very particular about their eLiquid ingredients. We want to ensure that our customers are getting the best ingredients possible, not cheap, imported, or dangerous eLiquid. If vape shops are forced to close their doors, then consumers will be forced to buy from third party vendors or illegal black markets. This will also make it easier for minors to access eLiquid and vape gear. Black markets and illegal vape stores won’t care about age limits, laws, or health concerns.
The Future of Vape Shops & Minors
The future of vape shops is a murky one, and it’s getting murkier every day. Each new law, each new study, each new article in the news affects our business. We want to comply with the laws, but we want to ensure that the laws being passed are fair and don’t harm our industry. If the age limit is 18, we will enforce it. If it’s 21, we will enforce it. Our preference is 18, as it is with voting, joining the military, and purchasing firearms. If an 18-year-old can risk their life for their country, they should be able to make their own choices in what they consume.
What scares me the most is not the age limit being raised, but the way new laws are being enforced. Take Florida again. When Governor Scott signed his bill into law, every vape shop owner in Florida was required to purchase an e-liquid vendor license for $50. No one knew this was happening. No one was consulted. And there was no grace period. Florida vape shop owners that didn’t know about the new law and didn’t get their license were fined. Some were fined over $1000.
This is what scares me about the future. New laws being passed without consulting the industry, without giving ample time to comply, and without understanding the nuances of our industry. Vape shops are doing their part. We are complying with all current laws, we are preventing minors from entering our shops, and we are doing our best to help people switch from smoking to vaping. We want to be part of the solution, but lawmakers are making it harder and harder to do so.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to use the comment section below. We want to hear from you.
