If your business sells liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products, there’s an important compliance deadline you need to act on immediately.
The Virginia Office of the Attorney General issued guidance on March 24, 2026 confirming that enforcement of the state’s vape product directory law begins April 1, 2026. Here’s what that means for you.
What the Law Requires
Virginia law requires all liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products sold in the state to be listed on an official state directory. That directory was published January 1, 2026, and businesses were given 60 days to either confirm their products are listed or remove unlisted products from inventory and return them to the manufacturer for disposal.
That 60-day window technically closed March 1. The Attorney General is extending a grace period through April 1 due to confusion created by a federal court injunction that temporarily blocked enforcement — but that injunction has since been stayed, and the law is fully back in effect.
What Happens If You’re Not in Compliance
The penalties are significant. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers found selling products not listed in the directory face a fine of $1,000 per product per day until those products are either removed or properly listed. Enforcement can come from the AG’s office, your local Commonwealth’s Attorney, or the attorney for your city or county.
Steps to Take Before April 1
- Check the directory. Verify every product you carry is listed at the Virginia OAG Vape Product Directory.
- Pull unlisted products. Remove anything not on the directory from your shelves now.
- Return products to the manufacturer. Unlisted inventory should be returned for proper disposal.
- Document your actions. Keep a record of the steps you’ve taken to demonstrate good-faith compliance.
The Virginia Retail Federation is committed to keeping our members informed on the regulatory and legal developments that affect your business. You can read the full enforcement guidance directly from the Attorney General’s office here — we recommend reviewing it alongside your legal counsel to ensure you’re fully prepared before the April 1 deadline.
