ConnecticutCan You Vape in Connecticut? The Short Answer
Yes, but with significant restrictions. Here's what you need to know:
- 21+ age requirement - Since October 1, 2019
- Statewide indoor vaping ban - Clean Indoor Air Act explicitly covers e-cigarettes
- 25-foot buffer zone - No vaping within 25 feet of doorways, windows, or air intakes
- Dual tax structure - $0.40/mL on closed systems, 10% wholesale on open systems
- Flavored vapes are legal - No statewide flavor ban (some local bans exist)
- Dealer registration required - $800/year through Department of Consumer Protection
- Online sales permitted - With strict age verification and signature requirements
Connecticut takes a regulatory approach rather than a prohibition approach. Flavored products remain available statewide, but indoor use is banned, taxes add to the cost, and retailers face strict licensing requirements. For how Connecticut compares to states with outright bans, see our states banning vapes guide.
Connecticut's Vaping Laws: How the Rules Work
Connecticut regulates vaping through a combination of public health statutes, consumer protection licensing, and tax law. The state has steadily tightened rules since 2014 without resorting to the flavor bans seen in neighboring states.
Key Legislation
| Law | Year | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| CGS 19a-342a | 2014 (amended 2019, 2021) | Banned vaping in indoor public places and workplaces |
| CGS 21a-415 | 2015 | Created dealer registration system for ENDS retailers |
| CGS 53-344b | 2019 | Raised purchase age to 21 for all tobacco and vapor products |
| CGS 12-330ee (Chapter 214b) | 2019 | Established electronic cigarette excise tax |
| CGS 31-40q | 2021 (amended) | Extended workplace vaping ban, no vape lounge exemption |
| HB 7275 | 2025 | Strengthened shipping restrictions, increased fines to $1,000 per offense |
Regulatory Bodies
- Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) - Dealer registration, licensing, compliance
- Department of Revenue Services (DRS) - Electronic cigarette excise tax collection
- Department of Public Health (DPH) - Clean Indoor Air Act enforcement, tobacco control
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) - Underage compliance checks, prevention education
- Attorney General's Office - Enforcement against bootleg products, consumer protection
What Is Legal vs. Illegal in Connecticut
| Legal | Illegal |
|---|---|
| Purchasing vapes at age 21+ | Buying or possessing vapes under 21 |
| All flavored e-liquids (statewide) | Selling or giving vapes to anyone under 21 |
| Open and closed system devices | Vaping indoors in public places |
| Online purchases with age verification | Vaping within 25 feet of building entrances |
| Registered dealers selling vapes | Selling without a DCP dealer registration |
| Private use in homes and vehicles | Shipping vapes without required labeling |
Notable Local Regulations
Connecticut allows municipalities to adopt regulations stricter than state law. Several cities have done so:
Hartford
Hartford has adopted a ban on flavored vaping products, going beyond the state's position of allowing all flavors. The city has also expanded vape-free zones to public sidewalks near schools and playgrounds.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport has similarly enacted a local flavored vape ban, restricting the sale of non-tobacco-flavored e-liquids within city limits.
New Haven
New Haven adopted the most detailed local regulations in the state in 2025:
- Zoning restrictions - New vapor product retailers cannot open within 1,000 feet of schools, places of worship, or public parks, and within 3,000 feet of an existing tobacco/vape retailer
- Municipal licensing - Local license required at $150/year, in addition to the state dealer registration
- Display and advertising restrictions - Limits on lighting displays and exterior advertising at smoke shops
- Fines - Local violations carry penalties of $150 to $1,000 per day
If you're visiting or living in Hartford, Bridgeport, or New Haven, the local rules may be stricter than what state law allows. Always check the local ordinances in the municipality you're in.
What Can You Buy in Connecticut?
Connecticut's legal market is relatively open compared to neighboring states. Since there's no statewide flavor ban, the full range of vaping products is available.
Available Products
- Disposable vapes - All flavors (fruit, menthol, candy, dessert, tobacco)
- Pod systems - Prefilled and refillable pods
- Box mods and advanced kits - Open-system devices
- E-liquids - All flavors, all nicotine strengths
- Nicotine salts - Available at all concentrations
- Coils, tanks, and accessories - Widely available
What You CANNOT Buy
- Any vaping product if you're under 21
- Products from unregistered dealers
- Products without FDA authorization that are subject to enforcement (bootleg/counterfeit disposables)
Expected Prices
| Product | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Disposable vape (5000+ puffs) | $12-$22 |
| Refillable pod system (device) | $25-$45 |
| Box mod kit | $40-$80 |
| 30mL e-liquid | $14-$24 |
| 100mL e-liquid | $22-$35 |
| Replacement coils (5-pack) | $12-$18 |
| Prefilled pod cartridges (2-pack) | $10-$18 |
Connecticut's excise tax adds to the cost, but prices remain lower than in neighboring Massachusetts (75% excise tax) and New York (20% of retail price). The state's 6.35% sales tax also applies on top of excise taxes.
Where Can You Vape in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a strict statewide indoor vaping ban. The Clean Indoor Air Act was amended to explicitly include electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products in the definition of "smoking."
Where Vaping Is Prohibited
- All indoor workplaces - No exemption for vape lounges or tobacco shops (CGS 31-40q)
- Restaurants and bars (except outdoor seating areas of bars)
- Retail stores and supermarkets
- Healthcare institutions - Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes
- State and municipal buildings
- Schools and school grounds
- Child care facilities and grounds
- Public transit platforms and shelters - Rail stations, busways, bus shelters
- Hotels and motels (designated rooms may vary by property)
- Elevators
- College dormitories
- Race tracks and off-track betting facilities
- Within 25 feet of any doorway, operable window, or air intake vent of a prohibited building
Where Vaping Is Permitted
- Private residences
- Private vehicles
- Outdoors (beyond 25 feet from building entrances, unless local rules apply)
- Designated outdoor smoking areas at bars (outdoor seating)
- Correctional facilities (facility discretion)
- Designated areas of psychiatric facilities
University Campuses
- Yale University - Smoke and vape-free campus
- University of Connecticut (UConn) - Tobacco-free across all campuses
- Wesleyan University - Smoke-free campus
- Most Connecticut colleges and universities have adopted tobacco-free policies that include vaping
Penalties for Violating Connecticut's Vaping Laws
Selling to Minors (Under 21)
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| 1st offense | $300 |
| 2nd offense (within 24 months) | $750 |
| 3rd+ offense | Up to $1,000 + possible license suspension/revocation |
Under HB 7275 (effective July 1, 2025), the maximum fine for selling vapes to a minor increased to $1,000 per offense.
Indoor Vaping Violations (CGS 19a-342a)
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Individual vaping in prohibited area | Infraction (fine) |
| Failure to post required signage | Infraction (fine) |
| Unauthorized removal of no-vaping signs | Infraction (fine) |
Businesses in control of premises must post signs stating that vaping is prohibited by state law. Sign letters must be at least four inches high with strokes at least one-half inch wide.
Operating Without Registration
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Selling vapes without DCP dealer registration | Up to $1,000 per violation |
| Failure to complete DMHAS prevention education | Registration cannot be issued or renewed |
Shipping and Delivery Violations (HB 7275)
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Shipping without required label | Civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation |
| Failure to obtain 21+ signature on delivery | Civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation |
| Shipping to unregistered dealer | Product seizure (contraband), civil penalties |
Products shipped in violation of shipping restrictions are classified as contraband and subject to confiscation and destruction.
Tax Violations
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Failure to pay tax on time | 10% of amount due or $50 (whichever is greater) |
| Interest on unpaid tax | 1% per month from due date |
| Continued non-compliance | Additional penalties and potential license action |
Taxes and Costs
Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Excise tax (closed systems) | $0.40 per mL of e-liquid | Prefilled, sealed pods and cartridges |
| Excise tax (open systems) | 10% of wholesale price | Refillable devices, bottled e-liquid, components |
| State sales tax | 6.35% | All vaping products at retail |
How the Tax Works in Practice
For a prefilled pod cartridge containing 2 mL of e-liquid:
- Excise tax: 2 mL x $0.40 = $0.80 per cartridge
- If retail price is $15.80 (including excise): sales tax adds $1.00
- Total tax burden: approximately $1.80
For a 100 mL bottle of e-liquid with a wholesale price of $12:
- Excise tax: 10% x $12 = $1.20
- If retail price is $25.20 (including excise): sales tax adds $1.60
- Total tax burden: approximately $2.80
Retailer Registration Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time, non-refundable) | $75 |
| Annual dealer registration fee | $800 |
| Annual fee for additional locations (same holder) | $400 per location |
| Manufacturer registration | Separate fee schedule |
Retailers must also complete an online prevention education course administered by DMHAS before their registration can be issued or renewed.
Connecticut vs. Neighboring States
| Feature | Connecticut | New York | Massachusetts | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavor Ban | No (local bans only) | No | Yes (all flavors) | Yes (eff. Jan 2025) | Yes (all except tobacco) |
| Indoor Vaping Ban | Yes (statewide) | Yes (statewide) | Yes (statewide) | Yes (statewide) | Yes (statewide) |
| Vape Tax | $0.40/mL closed; 10% wholesale open | 20% of retail price | 75% of wholesale | $0.50/mL closed; 10% wholesale open | 30 cents/mL; 30% retail |
| Minimum Age | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Online Sales | Restricted (age verification + signature) | Restricted | Effectively banned | Restricted | Nearly impossible |
| Nicotine Cap | None | None | 35 mg/mL at general retail | None | None |
| Sales Tax | 6.35% | 8% (varies by locality) | 6.25% | 7% | 6.625% |
Connecticut stands out as the most permissive state in the Northeast corridor for vaping. It's the only state bordering Massachusetts that hasn't enacted a flavor ban, making it a destination for cross-border purchases. Its tax rates, while meaningful, are significantly lower than those in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Nicotine Alternatives
When you cannot vape (which is most indoor spaces in Connecticut), these alternatives work:
- Nicotine pouches (ZYN, Rogue, On!) - Legal, discreet, no vapor produced
- Nicotine gum - Available at pharmacies and convenience stores
- Nicotine lozenges - Discreet for any indoor setting
- Nicotine patches - Long-lasting, no visible use
- Heated tobacco products (IQOS) - Subject to same indoor restrictions as vaping
Connecticut Vaping Laws: Key Takeaways
- Vaping is legal for adults 21+ - Connecticut raised its purchase age to 21 on October 1, 2019, ahead of the federal T21 law
- No statewide flavor ban - Connecticut is the only state bordering Massachusetts that still allows all flavored vaping products at the state level
- Statewide indoor vaping ban - The Clean Indoor Air Act (CGS 19a-342a) explicitly covers e-cigarettes and vapor products in all public places and workplaces
- 25-foot buffer zone - You cannot vape within 25 feet of any doorway, operable window, or air intake vent of a restricted building
- Dual excise tax - Closed systems taxed at $0.40/mL of e-liquid; open systems taxed at 10% of wholesale price, plus 6.35% sales tax
- Dealer registration is mandatory - Retailers must register with the Department of Consumer Protection ($75 application fee + $800 annual fee) and complete DMHAS prevention education
- HB 7275 (2025) tightened enforcement - Increased fines for selling to minors to $1,000 per offense, added shipping restrictions, and made violations subject to product seizure
- Local regulations may be stricter - Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven have enacted flavored vape bans and additional zoning or licensing requirements
- Online sales are legal but regulated - Age verification required at purchase and delivery, with mandatory shipping labels and 21+ signature upon receipt
- No workplace vaping exemption - CGS 31-40q bans vaping in all workplaces including vape shops and tobacco stores, with no lounge or shop exemption
References
- Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 214b -- Electronic Cigarette Products Tax
- Connecticut General Statutes 19a-342a -- Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System or Vapor Product Prohibited
If you're traveling to Connecticut, check our guide on traveling with your vape for airport rules and packing tips.
Looking for vaping laws in other states or countries? Check our complete vaping laws guide for more destinations.