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OH · Vape laws

Ohio vape laws

Ohio sets the sale age at 21, requires age verification for internet and remote sales, taxes vapor products by volume, and licenses retailers. Some cities ban flavored tobacco, and the Ohio Supreme Court is deciding whether they can.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. It is based on the Public Health Law Center’s review of Ohio law (as of June 15, 2025). Laws change, so check the statute or a lawyer before you rely on any point.

Key rules

  • Sale or distribution of alternative nicotine products (including vapes and nicotine pouches) to anyone under 21 is prohibited.

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2927.02(B)(1)

  • Sale or shipment by internet or other remote means is prohibited unless age verification is obtained.

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2927.02(B)(6)

  • Carriers may not ship or transport vapor products to unauthorized persons; packages must be labeled “electronic smoking devices” or “vapor products.”

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2927.023(B), (C)

  • Vapor products are taxed at $0.01 per vapor volume (0.1 mL of liquid or 0.1 g of non-liquid).

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 5743.01(W), 5743.51(A)(4)

  • A license is required to sell vapor products at retail or wholesale, and to manufacture them.

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5743.61(A)

  • Only licensed secondary manufacturers may dilute or reprocess vapor products for resale.

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5743.20

  • Vaping counts as smoking under Ohio’s Smoke-Free Workplace Act and is banned in public places and places of employment.

    Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3794.01–3794.03

Can you order vapes online in Ohio?

Ohio allows internet and remote sales only when the seller verifies age. Carriers may not deliver vapor products to unauthorized persons, and packages must be labeled. Many national retailers ship to Ohio under the federal PACT Act (adult signature on delivery).

Pending changes to watch

  • Local flavor bans: Columbus and other cities ban flavored tobacco sales. A 2024 state law would block local bans, but lower courts sided with 21 cities, so local bans currently stand. The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments on June 9, 2026. Its ruling is pending.

    Ohio Capital Journal (June 11, 2026)

  • House Bill 849 (proposed, not law): it would create a state directory of vaping products that have, or are seeking, federal authorization. Products not on the list would become contraband. It would also ban youth-appealing packaging and add retailer license fees.

    Health Policy Ohio (May 22, 2026)

Federal rules that apply everywhere

  • Only e-cigarettes with an FDA marketing authorization may be lawfully sold in the United States. As of FDA’s August 28, 2026 update, that is 48 products from five manufacturers.

    FDA — E-Cigarettes Authorized by the FDA

  • Federal minimum age to buy any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is 21.

    FDA — Tobacco 21

  • Advertising for e-cigarettes by manufacturers, distributors and retailers must carry the warning “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

    21 CFR 1143.3

See every product the FDA has authorized: FDA-authorized vapes list.

Sources

Last reviewed by TristateVape: September 24, 2026.

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