Washington lawmakers begin push to ban flavored vapes

Democratic lawmakers in Washington are pushing this year to ban flavored tobacco products, with the support of the state schools chief.

State Rep. Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, filed the legislation Wednesday on the House side. State Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-University Place, is set to sponsor the Senate version.

Their proposal includes bans on flavored electronic cigarettes, also called vapes, menthol cigarettes and nicotine pouches, like Zyn. The ban would be effective Jan. 1, 2026. The legislation, House Bill 1203, also targets so-called “entertainment vapor products” that include video games or music.

“The prevalence of flavored products is bringing way too many young people into very dangerous behaviors for themselves,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve said before that these industries are, quite frankly, trying to create customers for life.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/08/washington-lawmakers-begin-push-to-ban-flavored-vapes/