Governor Josh Green signed two bills on July 8, 2026 that will eliminate nearly the entire e-cigarette market in Hawaii. House Bill 1573 restricts legal sales to FDA-approved products only — currently 45 products statewide. Senate Bill 2175 bans disposable vapes entirely by January 1, 2027. Together, the laws create the most restrictive state vape regulatory framework in the United States.
HB 1573 creates a state registry system that limits legal vape sales to products with active FDA marketing orders. As of October 1, 2026, manufacturers must submit proof of FDA authorization, pay a $1,000 certification fee per product line, and verify state and federal compliance. The Attorney General will publish a certified directory by January 1, 2027. Products not on the list will be illegal to sell. First-time violations carry a $500 fine per product, escalating to $2,000 per product by the fourth offense. Manufacturers distributing unapproved products face misdemeanor charges and fines up to $10,000 per item.
SB 2175 bans the sale and distribution of disposable e-cigarettes starting January 1, 2027, with a $100 per-day fine per non-compliant product for retailers. Governor Green cited both youth addiction and environmental hazards from lithium battery waste as drivers for the ban. The bill signing was covered by Ecigator and Tobacco Reporter.
“Vaping is bad, period,” Governor Green said during the bill signing. “It leads to young people getting addicted to nicotine and they get hooked on cigarettes later.”
What This Means for Hawaii Vapers
Hawaii’s approach is unique nationally. Rather than a flavor ban or age restriction, HB 1573 outsources market authorization entirely to the FDA. Since the FDA has authorized only 23 tobacco-flavored vaping devices and 22 other products — none in fruit, dessert, or candy flavors — the practical effect is near-total prohibition of the current retail market.
The phased rollout gives consumers and retailers until January 1, 2027 before full enforcement begins. After that date, only the 45 FDA-authorized products will be legally available in Hawaii stores. Online retailers shipping to Hawaii will also need to comply with the registry.
State health officials challenged harm reduction arguments. Lola Irvin, administrator of the Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Division, stated that dual-use adults are less likely to quit smoking successfully and that e-cigarette use is linked to higher risks of oral and lung cancers.
Comparisons to Other States
Hawaii’s registry model goes further than other state approaches. California’s AB 762 bans disposable vapes by 2027 but doesn’t restrict all non-FDA products. Several other states have pursued PMTA-based directories or flavor bans, but Hawaii is the first to effectively tie the entire legal market to FDA authorization status.
Action Advice
Hawaii vapers should check whether their preferred products have FDA marketing orders before January 2027. The state’s certified directory will publish on January 1, 2027. Stockpiling favorite products before the ban takes effect is an option, though federal shipping restrictions may apply. Hawaii retailers should prepare certification materials by the October 1, 2026 deadline. Those concerned about losing access to smoking alternatives can submit public comments to the state Department of Health or contact their state representatives.
Keep Reading
- California AB 762: State Moves to Ban Disposable Vapes by 2027
- Vape Taxes in the United States: State-by-State Guide
- FDA Authorizes Zyn MRTP: Nicotine Pouches Get Reduced Risk Status
- THC Vape Laws, Federal Changes, State Rules and Delta-8 Ban (2026)
Kevin Li — Founder & Editor, VapeObservation.com Kevin reviews vape products hands-on, prioritizing real-world performance over manufacturer claims. His goal: honest, practical advice that helps everyday vapers make informed choices. Before launching VapeObservation, he was a longtime vaper frustrated by promotional content disguised as reviews. Every article on the site reflects his commitment to data-driven, reader-first testing.
