North Carolina Adds $1,000 Vape Shop Tax and 21+ Age Verification Requirement
2Firsts
North Carolina imposes a $1,000 tax on vape shops and requires age verification for customers 21 and older.Summary
North Carolina’s new fiscal year 2026-27 budget introduces a $1,000 tax on vape shops and mandates that retailers verify customers are at least 21 years old. The tax is intended to increase compliance costs for operators, who may pass some of the burden onto consumers, while the age‑verification rule aims to curb youth access to nicotine products. Some retailers already enforce a 21+ policy, and advocates are calling for broader regulation covering other nicotine products, including cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The move reflects a national trend toward stricter retail oversight in the vaping market, with potential implications for smaller operators and future state‑level policy developments.
(Source：2Firsts)
