Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania’s New ENDS Law Forces Vape Shops to Shut Down
By Drooid · · How we work
Act 57 Takes Effect, Prompting Immediate Retail Closures
At midnight on October 19, 2026, Pennsylvania’s Act 57—signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on December 22, 2025—required every nicotine-containing vape product to appear on a state-approved Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) directory before it could be sold. Products absent from the list must be removed from shelves, and retailers that continue to offer them face seizure. The law’s enforcement began the day after the final sell-through period ended on October 18, 2026, leading several smoke-shop chains, including Cool Vapes, to announce permanent closures.
Background of the ENDS Directory Requirement
Act 57 created an ENDS directory administered by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Manufacturers must submit certifications for each product; only those approved appear in the directory. As of October 18, 2026, the directory listed 163 product entries from seven manufacturers—Blue Nine LLC, CrossBar 4, Custom Technologies LLC, e Cig, Inmate, Juul Labs Inc., Logic Technology Development LLC, NJoy LLC, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, and The Schwartz E-Liquid—providing limited options for retailers that previously relied on popular, unlisted brands such as Geek Bar, Lost Mary, Elf Bar, and others.
Scope of the New Regulations and Penalties
The law imposes escalating civil penalties for violations: a $500 fine per unlisted product for a first offense; $750–$1,000 per product per day plus at least a 14-day license suspension for a second offense within 12 months; and $1,000–$1,500 per product per day with license revocation for a third offense. Annual certifications for listed e-cigarettes become due by April 21 each year beginning in 2027, but not earlier than February.
Official Response from the Attorney General
Attorney General Dave Sunday expressed sympathy for affected businesses while emphasizing his duty to enforce the statute:
“My heart goes out to anyone that loses a job or their business. I mean, that's obviously something that is ... that is terrible. That no one would ever want to see. At the same time, the attorney general, my job is to enforce the law. And so, you know, that's something that I take an oath to do,” — General Dave Sunday, attorney
The Attorney General’s Office also announced targeted enforcement, compliance education during inspections, and that genuine consumer purchases of off-directory products are not subject to civil penalties.
Impact on Retailers and Consumers
Retailers that cannot source approved products face inventory loss, potential fines, and the prospect of license suspension or revocation. Consumers may still purchase listed items, but any resale of unapproved products could expose them to the same penalties. The combined effect has already forced at least one multi-location vape shop to cease operations, signaling a significant shift in Pennsylvania’s nicotine-vape market.