No More Throwaway Vapes!

California has taken bold stands against single-use waste before — from banning plastic bags to restricting single-use foodware — and AB 762 continues that tradition by targeting one of the most environmentally damaging disposable products on the market today: battery-embedded disposable vapes.

These devices are everywhere. Sold cheaply and used briefly, disposable e-cigarettes containing nicotine are discarded by the millions each year. Unlike a plastic straw or a paper cup, each device contains a lithium-ion battery, electronic circuitry, and a mix of chemical components — none of which belong in a landfill or, as is far too common, a storm drain, a beach, or the ocean floor. When improperly discarded, these devices leach heavy metals and toxic chemicals into soil and waterways, posing serious risks to wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.

AB 762 would prohibit the import and manufacture of new or refurbished disposable, battery-embedded tobacco vapor inhalation devices for sale in California beginning January 1, 2027, with a full sales ban taking effect January 1, 2028. Enforcement would be handled through civil penalties and, where applicable, license revocation by state regulatory agencies overseeing tobacco products.

This bill addresses a genuine gap in California's waste reduction framework. While the state has made significant progress in curbing single-use plastics, disposable vapes have proliferated largely unchecked despite their outsized environmental footprint. Banning them outright — rather than simply regulating their disposal — is the most effective solution. Rechargeable, refillable alternatives already exist and are widely available, meaning this bill imposes no meaningful barrier to consumers while delivering real environmental benefit.

AB 762 is smart, targeted policy that protects California's coastlines, communities, and waste stream from an unnecessary and toxic product.

Support AB 762. No more throwaway vapes.