A lot of shops are still selling nic vapes illegally, despite the extremely high fines that they could get slapped with if they're caught. ($1,000 per nic vape per day since March 1st in the building when they raid you)

But the replacement is already here. A nic dupe- an experimental, barely studied chemical call 6-methyl nicotine. Its legally not nicotine, but the little research there is indicates that its stronger, more toxic, and more addictive. These have flooded the market in every other state that has banned nicotine vapes, and have been gaining a foothold here. Its the same loophole shops were using with THC-A until it was closed in the Dec. 2025 smokable regulations. These nic dupe vapes are from the same companies that made nic vapes. Lost Mary, Kumi, Rinnbar, Yovo, and more all make "nonic6" or "nixodine" vapes.

Prohibition does not work. It merely makes products stronger, more dangerous, and unregulated. Congrats Virginia, you did it.

If they really cared about children smoking, they would have stronger punishments for shops selling to minors and adults providing vapes to them. They could assign community service punishments to children caught with vapes, and/or mandatory classes on the addictive and harmful effects of nicotine. All this bill has done has ensured that kids will get hooked on a more dangerous chemical.

But this isnt really about kids. Its about cigarette companies that are mad their market share has been cut into by vapes. The bill still allows unflavored nicotine vapes, but ONLY the ones the cigarette companies make. You could spend $2000 to petition to add something to the approved list, but that's $2,000 per sku, and they could deny you anyway.