State to release vape product registry Monday
The short answer
Iowa publishes its registry of approved vape products on November 16, with enforcement commencing on December 17. This timeline allows retailers to adjust inventory and ensures only compliant products remain on shelves, resolving prior legal ambiguities.
Key facts
- Jurisdiction
- Iowa
- Authority
- Iowa Department of Revenue
- Instrument
- Vape product registry
- Scope
- Approved vape products for sale in smoke shops
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The state will release its registry of approved vape products Monday, Nov. 16, with enforcement set to begin Dec. 17.
The governor signed a bill into law in 2024 to create a registry of approved vape products for sale in Iowa smoke shops. The registry has not been enforced because of court challenges.
Smoke shop manager’s perspective
Kaleeb Wilson manages several shops in Eastern Iowa, including Up in Smoke in Iowa City. He said underage kids try to buy his products about a dozen times a day.
Two young boys came into the shop during the interview in an attempt to purchase flavored vapes. Wilson asked them to leave.
“Those are middle schoolers that just walked in here and looked at me like I was crazy for not selling them a vape,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he wishes the state would do more to help stores catch kids who try to buy enticing, candy-flavored vapes - such as providing ID scanners to stores rather than just signage for the cash register area.
The state does require training for smoke shop employees, but he said he believes technology would greatly assist efforts to prevent children from accessing nicotine.
Uncertainty amidst court battle over registry
Wilson said the ongoing court battle over the products has left him uncertain about what can stay in his shops.
“Every time, we end up with dry shelves, and then a full re-stock out of nowhere from this pushback. This most recent time, it was only a month pushback, so now we are absent on what we actually know is going to stay,” Wilson said.
An updated directory of approved vape products for sale in Iowa is to be published Monday. It will not be enforced until a month later on Dec. 17.
John Fuller, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Revenue, said the delay will give the state time to notify retailers.
“It gives us some time to try get the word out about the directory to retailers,” Fuller said.
Vape manufacturers must now apply to the Department of Revenue to sell their products. Fuller explained that the month-long gap between publication and enforcement will help filter out illegal products.
Frequently asked questions
When will Iowa release its registry of approved vape products and when does enforcement begin?
The registry will be released on November 16, with enforcement starting December 17. This gap allows the state to notify retailers and filter out illegal products before enforcement begins.
What is the purpose of the one-month gap between the registry release and enforcement in Iowa?
The gap provides time for the state to notify retailers about the new directory. It also helps filter out illegal products from the market before enforcement actions commence.
How does the Iowa vape registry impact smoke shop managers and their compliance efforts?
Managers must ensure only approved products are sold to avoid penalties. The registry helps filter illegal items, but shops still face challenges with underage sales and need adequate training and technology.
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