Vape Laws in South Carolina

Vaping has been a hot topic these days in the mainstream national media.  As such, states and cities alike have turned some attention to putting some legislation in regards to vaping.  In this piece, we will talk about how Couth Carolina defines e-cigarettes, how they deal with youth and e-cigarettes, and finally some additional laws in regards to vaping and e-cigarettes.

Lets first take a look at how South Carolina defines e-cigarettes.  In the world of e-cigarettes, there are a few terms that require defining.  The first is Alternative nicotine product.  This is any vaping product, that either includes or doesn’t include nicotine.  The delivery of the product is by ingestion into the body by smoking, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, chewing or any other way.  An electronic smoking device is a device that is used to deliver a vaporized substance including and e-liquid to the person inhaling from the device.  These include e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-cigars, vape pens, e-hookahs.  An e-liquid is a substance that may or may not contain nicotine that purpose is to be vaporized and inhaled using a vapor product and is a legal substance under the laws of South Carolina and the United States.  There are many companies that produce e-liquid like Naked 100 and Loaded e juice. A vapor product is a powered vaporizer tool that helps change e-liquid into a vapor for the purposes of inhaling it.

While pretty lenient currently, South Carolina has two regulations in place in regards to smoke-free restriction areas.  First, e-cigarettes cannot be used inside ambulances.  This is kind of a no brainer as these vehicles should be kept as clean and free of contaminants as possible because they are transporting people who have been injured or need medical attention.  Second, the school districts have to adopt, implement and enforce a policy in writing to prohibit the use of alternative nicotine products on school grounds and during events that are sponsored by the school.

In regards to the youth and e-cigarettes, here is what the law says in South Carolina.  First, the sale and distribution of alternative nicotine products to anyone under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited.  The purchase and possession of alternative nicotine products by anyone under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited.  So this laws cover both sides of the equation.  You cannot sell to minors and the minors cannot buy or have these products.  Vending machine sales of alternative nicotine products are focused on locations that are not accessible to anyone under the age of 18.  In the instances that it can be accessible, these machines need to be locked and controlled by the owner.  When it comes to internet or remote sales of alternative nicotine products, there needs to be third party age verification technology to prevent minors from purchasing.  And lastly, any specialty shops that sell alternative nicotine shops are required to stop minors from entering the premises.

In regards to some additional e-cigarette laws, there is no retail license or permit required to sell e-cigarettes in South Carolina. You can also buy products online through places like Destination Smoke. In addition there is no state excise or special taxes that are placed on devices.  And in regards to the packaging of the e-liquid, they must be child resistant and have the appropriate warning labels as prescribed by federal regulations.

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