Annette Haining, Marshall County's Tobacco Education Coordinator, is alerting local retailers and residents about a significant new state law taking effect just over a week from now.
Beginning July 1, Indiana will prohibit the sale, possession, and distribution of vaping products sourced from foreign adversary nations — most notably China.
Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 185 (SEA 185), also known as Public Law 148, on May 7. The legislation was passed with unanimous support in the Indiana General Assembly.
The new law prohibits retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers from possessing, selling, or distributing e-liquids, vape devices, and related ingredients sourced from nations designated as foreign adversaries under federal regulations. Critically, the law does not just apply to future purchases — businesses covered under the statute will be required to pull affected inventory from their shelves and stockrooms once the law takes effect on July 1st.
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) has been granted increased enforcement authority under SEA 185 to check for compliance. The law also introduces new sales certificate requirements for retailers and wholesalers.
The bill was authored by State Senator Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), who argued the legislation is essential to protecting Hoosiers from dangerous, unregulated chemicals found in vaping products manufactured in nations that pose a threat to American safety.
"Senate Enrolled Act 185 protects Hoosiers from consuming dangerous chemicals added to vaping products from nations that want to do Americans harm," Alting said.
Proponents of the measure note that many foreign-produced vaping products — particularly those originating from China — have contained harmful and unregulated substances not subject to U.S. safety standards.
With July 1 approaching, local retailers who carry vaping products are encouraged to review their inventory for compliance. Any e-liquids or vaping devices sourced from countries listed under 15 CFR 791.4 must be removed from sale. Businesses should also be prepared to meet the new sales certificate requirements established under the act.
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