“I Don’t Know How We Stay Open” A Virginia Vape Shop Owner on the New Ban
A new Virginia law restricting vape product sales threatens to close hundreds of small businesses, particularly those owned by immigrants.Summary
A new law in Virginia, effective December 31st, will significantly restrict the sale of vape products, allowing only those listed on a state-maintained directory – primarily those from major tobacco companies like JUUL and Vuse. This poses an existential threat to hundreds of independent vape shops across the state, many owned by first-generation immigrants, who rely on the sale of diverse flavored and disposable vapes. Tony Aziz, owner of Native Smoke in Richmond, exemplifies this struggle, having built his business after arriving in the US as a refugee. The law’s enforcement focuses on retailers, creating a challenging compliance situation, and mirrors a similar framework being implemented for the upcoming adult-use cannabis market, raising concerns about consolidation and equity. The outcome is not prohibition, but a shift in market control towards larger corporations, leaving many small business owners facing closure and economic hardship.
(Source：RVA Mag)
