Vaping in WA State: Insider’s Look
On July 16, 2014, the heads of Washington State’s most influential vaping companies met behind closed doors in a conference room near the state capitol. The topic was proposals to tax vapor products like tobacco. We shared what we learned with Washington vapers, because the outcome would affect every one of them.
Short version: As cigarette tax revenue declined, some lawmakers wanted vapor products classified as tobacco products for tax purposes. Industry leaders urged vapers to organize, vote and tell lawmakers their own stories.
Why the state wanted a vapor tax
States collect a lot of money from tobacco taxes. As vaping grew and cigarette sales fell, legislators looked for ways to make up the difference, and the most common proposal was to classify vapor products as tobacco products so they could be taxed the same way. At the time, we called that an abuse of government power.
Not every lawmaker was opposed. Some even attended vape meets to learn why so many adults had switched and how they could support vapers.
What came out of the meeting
- Personal connections matter. Lawmakers who sided with vapers usually knew someone who had switched from smoking, so sharing personal stories was the top priority.
- The tobacco label sticks. Attendees worried that being labeled a tobacco product for tax purposes would pull e-cigarettes into every future change to the tobacco tax structure.
- Elections matter. Key races were coming up that November, and vapers were urged to vote for candidates who supported them.
- Statewide organizing. WA Vape, a nonprofit, planned an informational website to keep Washington vapers informed and help them act together.
The message to every vaper in the state was simple: you can’t sit back and depend on others to do the job.
Where things stand now
Since then, many states, Washington among them, have put taxes on vapor products, and federal law set the minimum age for all tobacco and vaping products at 21 in December 2019. Taxes, flavor rules and shipping rules keep changing, so check the current rules for your state and city; our overview of vaping regulations by state explains how the layers fit together. The advice from that 2014 meeting still holds: vote, stay informed and tell your lawmakers your story.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21+ only.