Oklahoma’s Vapor Ban: A Threat to Public Health, Small Businesses, and Consumer Choice
Oklahoma is the latest battleground in the ongoing war against vapor products. SB 1102, a proposed “certification” bill, is being falsely promoted as a measure to protect public health and keep vapor products out of the hands of minors. However, in reality, this bill does nothing to curb youth access—it simply eliminates virtually all vapor products from the market, cutting off a vital nicotine alternative tool for adult smokers.
This legislation is an unnecessary and harmful overreach, mirroring the FDA’s broken Pre-Market Tobacco Application (PMTA) process, which has already led to the unjustified removal of thousands of vapor products. Oklahoma’s proposed certification process is just another layer of red tape designed to force small businesses into compliance with an impossible system, while giving Big Tobacco an advantage by eliminating independent vapor product manufacturers and retailers.
What’s at Stake?
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Public Health Risks – Studies, including the recent Cochrane Review, have shown that vapor products are the most effective smoking cessation tool ever devised. By eliminating access to these products, lawmakers are pushing Oklahomans back to combustible cigarettes, which are significantly more harmful.
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Consumer Rights Violations – This bill takes away adult consumer choice, preventing individuals from accessing products that have helped millions quit smoking. Instead of respecting personal freedom, SB 1102 prioritizes bureaucratic control over public health.
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Small Businesses Under Attack – Much like the FDA’s overreach, Oklahoma’s “certification” process is designed to push small businesses out of the market by imposing costly, burdensome regulations that only Big Tobacco can afford to navigate. This will kill jobs, devastate vape shops, and hand over the industry to corporate giants.
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A False Solution to a Non-Existent Problem – The claim that this bill protects youth is deeply misleading. Federal law already bans the sale of vapor products to minors, and youth vaping rates have declined significantly in recent years. Meanwhile, the real threats to public health—traditional cigarettes and illicit, unregulated products—remain widely available.
Take Action Now!
If SB 1102 passes, Oklahoma will become yet another state where adult smokers lose access to the most effective tool available. We cannot allow misguided legislation to dictate public health policy based on fear, misinformation, and the influence of corporate interests.
Fill out VTA's Call to Action
We must stand up for consumer rights, small businesses, and public health before it’s too late. Contact your state legislators today and urge them to VOTE NO on SB 1102!
