CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS: Beginning January 1, 2025, a new state law will extend the current flavor ban to also prohibit online sales of flavored nicotine products.
Beginning January 1, 2025, a new law will take effect across the state of California — including San Diego — prohibiting the online sale and shipment of flavored nicotine products, such as disposable vapes. This is an extension of the existing retail flavor ban that already restricts in-store purchases.
Under the new law, all flavored nicotine products — including fruity, minty, sweet, or dessert flavors like mango, strawberry, mint, and tropical blends — can no longer be purchased online or shipped to California addresses. This ban applies to every city and county in the state, including San Diego.
The following products will be affected:
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Flavored disposable vapes
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Pre-filled flavored pods or cartridges
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Flavored e-liquids for refillable devices
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Nicotine products with fruit, candy, or mint flavoring
Only tobacco-flavored and unflavored nicotine products will remain legal for online sale and delivery.
This measure is part of California’s broader effort to reduce youth access to nicotine and limit the appeal of flavored vaping products. Online retailers — even those located outside of California — must comply with this law and will be prohibited from shipping flavored products to any address within the state.
If you live in San Diego and use flavored vape products, it’s important to be aware of these upcoming changes. Starting in 2025, ordering flavored nicotine items online will be illegal in California.
CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS: Beginning January 1, 2025, a new state law will extend the current flavor ban to also prohibit online sales of flavored nicotine products.
Beginning January 1, 2025, a new law will take effect across the state of California — including San Diego — prohibiting the online sale and shipment of flavored nicotine products, such as disposable vapes. This is an extension of the existing retail flavor ban that already restricts in-store purchases.
Under the new law, all flavored nicotine products — including fruity, minty, sweet, or dessert flavors like mango, strawberry, mint, and tropical blends — can no longer be purchased online or shipped to California addresses. This ban applies to every city and county in the state, including San Diego.
The following products will be affected:
-
Flavored disposable vapes
-
Pre-filled flavored pods or cartridges
-
Flavored e-liquids for refillable devices
-
Nicotine products with fruit, candy, or mint flavoring
Only tobacco-flavored and unflavored nicotine products will remain legal for online sale and delivery.
This measure is part of California’s broader effort to reduce youth access to nicotine and limit the appeal of flavored vaping products. Online retailers — even those located outside of California — must comply with this law and will be prohibited from shipping flavored...
FAQs About San Diego
No. Beginning January 1, 2025, online retailers will no longer be allowed to sell or ship flavored nicotine products to any address in California, including San Diego. This includes all non-tobacco flavors such as mint, mango, blue raspberry, watermelon, cotton candy, and more. Even if a website appears to accept your order, the seller is obligated to block or cancel shipments to California.
The law covers any nicotine product with a non-tobacco flavor, including:
- Disposable vapes with sweet or fruity flavors
- Pre-filled flavored pods (e.g., Juul, Vuse, Elf Bar)
- Flavored e-liquids for refillable devices
- Nicotine pouches or other products with flavoring
Only tobacco-flavored and unflavored nicotine products are excluded. All others fall under the new prohibition.
The ban on in-store sales of flavored nicotine products already exists in California and has been enforced at the local level in cities like San Diego. What’s changing in 2025 is the expansion of the ban to cover online purchases and home delivery, closing the loophole many consumers used to access these products.
So, in short:
- Retail sales: Already banned
- Online sales & shipping: Banned starting January 1, 2025
Yes. The law targets sales and distribution, not individual possession. That means if you already have flavored products in your possession before the law kicks in, you won’t be penalized for using them. However, once the ban begins, buying them online or having them shipped to you will be illegal.
