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Oklahoma’s vaping epidemic is closely linked to the state’s high density of vape retailers.
The latest data shows 6.1% of Oklahoma adults and 21.7% of youth vape, placing the state among the top five for vaping prevalence in the nation. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has one of the highest number of vape retailers per capita.
These rankings are largely due to Oklahoma’s lax and out-of-date laws regarding tobacco and nicotine products.
Unlike 33 other states, Oklahoma does not require a license to sell e-cigarettes, making it difficult to regulate sales. The state also lags the nation in taxing vapes and other emerging nicotine products.
Taxation is one of the most effective methods to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, yet Oklahoma is one of only 18 states with no e-cigarette tax at all. A 2022 bill further established this policy by narrowly redefining “smokeless tobacco” as products with leaf tobacco like snuff or chew. By limiting the definition, the law placed our state out of step with federal definitions, ensured e-cigarettes remained more accessible and led to lost tax revenue.
The result of these policies is a landscape saturated with vapor shops. Areas with higher densities of tobacco retailers often have higher levels of chronic illness, absenteeism and medical costs.
It is a common misconception that e-cigarettes are mostly harmless. They contain large amounts of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that impairs neuron growth and damages portions of the brain responsible for learning, memory and attention. Vapes also contain carcinogens and heavy metals like nickel, tin and lead.
Retail outlets are a main marketing venue for tobacco products. The industry spends nearly $150 million annually marketing their addictive products to Oklahomans, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Oklahoma’s high retailer density normalizes vaping and encourages first-time users, ultimately impacting the health of our state. State and local policymakers can protect young Oklahomans by considering zoning and other laws that regulate tobacco and vape retailer location and density, such as prohibiting such businesses near schools or capping the number of retailers per square mile.
Expanding tobacco retail licensing to include e-cigarettes, taxing e-cigarettes to ensure price parity with other tobacco products and including all new nicotine products in Oklahoma’s statutory definition of tobacco products are also essential steps.
Understanding the impact of aggressive marketing and easy access to addictive products is crucial for protecting public health and fostering a healthier future for all Oklahomans.
Julie Bisbee is Executive Director of Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.
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