IndianaCan You Vape in Indiana? The Short Answer
Yes, vaping is legal in Indiana for adults 21 and older, with moderate restrictions and a significant tax burden.
- No statewide indoor vaping ban - Indiana's Smoke Free Air Law doesn't cover e-cigarettes
- 20+ cities ban indoor vaping locally - Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend, Carmel, and others
- No statewide flavor ban - All flavored e-liquids are legal
- 30% tax on vapor products - Doubled from 15% effective July 1, 2025
- 75 mg/mL nicotine cap - E-liquids exceeding this strength are prohibited
- Retailer licensing required - $200 Tobacco Sales Certificate from the ATC, valid 3 years
- Vitamin E acetate banned - Selling e-liquids containing vitamin E acetate is a Class B infraction
Indiana is more permissive than neighboring Illinois and Ohio when it comes to indoor vaping rules, but its 30% vapor tax is among the steepest in the Midwest. For a full comparison, see our states banning vapes guide.
Indiana's Vaping Laws: How the Rules Work
Indiana regulates vaping through a patchwork of state statutes, tax codes, and local ordinances. The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) is the primary enforcement agency for retail sales, while the Department of Revenue handles tax compliance.
Key Legislation
| Law | Year | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| House Enrolled Act 1149 (Smoke Free Air Law) | 2012 | Statewide indoor smoking ban; does not cover vaping |
| Senate Enrolled Act 1 (Tobacco 21) | 2020 | Raised purchase age to 21, added possession penalties for minors |
| Senate Enrolled Act 1 (E-Liquid Reform) | 2017 | Eliminated unconstitutional security bond requirements for e-liquid manufacturers |
| HB 1001 (Budget Bill) | 2025 | Doubled e-cigarette tax from 15% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025 |
| HB 1218 (Proposed Total Vape Ban) | 2025 | Would have banned all e-liquid and vapor product sales; died in committee |
| HB 1410 (Proposed Flavor Ban) | 2025 | Would have banned all flavored tobacco and e-liquids; died in committee |
Regulatory Bodies
- Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) - Retailer licensing, compliance inspections, underage sales enforcement
- Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) - E-cigarette tax collection, distributor registration
- Indiana State Department of Health - Tobacco prevention, Smoke Free Air Law education
- Local health departments - Enforce municipal vaping ordinances
- FDA - Federal compliance inspections, PMTA enforcement
What's Legal vs. Illegal (Statewide)
Legal:
- All vaping devices (refillable, pod systems, box mods, disposables)
- All flavored e-liquids
- Nicotine strengths up to 75 mg/mL
- Online purchases with age verification
- Purchasing from licensed retailers at age 21+
Illegal:
- Selling vaping products to anyone under 21
- Possessing, using, or purchasing vaping products under age 21
- Selling e-liquids exceeding 75 mg/mL nicotine
- Selling e-liquids containing vitamin E acetate
- Selling without a valid Tobacco Sales Certificate
- Operating a vape shop within 1,000 feet of a school
- Self-service displays (except in age-restricted tobacco/vape shops)
Local Vaping Restrictions: Indianapolis and Beyond
Indiana's statewide Smoke Free Air Law (HEA 1149) only covers "lighted" tobacco products. Because e-cigarettes don't produce smoke from combustion, they are not covered by the state law. This has led over 20 municipalities to pass their own ordinances banning vaping where smoking is prohibited.
Cities with Indoor Vaping Bans
The following cities and counties have ordinances that prohibit vaping in indoor public places and workplaces:
| Municipality | Notable Details |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis/Marion County | Covers most of the county; excludes Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, and Speedway |
| Bloomington | Amended smoking ordinance in 2017 to include e-cigarettes in public places and workplaces |
| South Bend | Includes vaping in smoke-free indoor air ordinance |
| Carmel | Vaping prohibited where smoking is banned |
| Columbus | Includes e-cigarettes in clean air ordinance |
| Goshen | Broad vaping and smoking restrictions |
| Munster | Covers indoor public places |
| Zionsville | Includes vaping in smoking ban |
| Howard County | County-wide vaping restriction |
| Hancock County | County-wide vaping restriction |
| Grant County | County-wide vaping restriction |
Other municipalities with indoor vaping restrictions include Austin, Franklin, Greenwood, North Manchester, Seymour, and Winfield.
Indianapolis Rules in Detail
If you're in Indianapolis proper (Marion County), vaping is treated the same as smoking in most indoor public spaces:
- Prohibited: Restaurants, bars, workplaces, government buildings, public transit
- Permitted: Designated vape/tobacco shops, private residences, outdoors, private vehicles
- Exceptions: The cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, and Speedway within Marion County are not covered by the Indianapolis ordinance
State Smoke Free Air Law Exemptions
Even in areas where the state smoking ban applies (but not the vaping ban), these locations are exempt from the statewide smoking ban:
- Freestanding bars and taverns
- Casinos and riverboats
- Horseracing and off-track betting facilities
- Cigar bars and hookah bars
- Retail tobacco stores
- Private and fraternal clubs
- Cigar manufacturing facilities
Local municipalities can and do adopt stricter rules covering these exempted locations.
What Can You Buy in Indiana?
Indiana has no product directory, no flavor ban, and no restrictions on device types. The market is open, with the main constraint being the 75 mg/mL nicotine cap and the 30% tax.
Devices:
- Disposable vapes (all brands)
- Pod systems (JUUL, Vaporesso XROS, SMOK Nord, Uwell Caliburn, etc.)
- Box mod kits
- Rebuildable atomizers (RDAs, RTAs)
- All-in-one refillable systems
E-Liquids:
- All flavors (fruit, dessert, candy, menthol, tobacco, beverage)
- Freebase nicotine (up to 75 mg/mL)
- Nicotine salt (up to 75 mg/mL)
- All bottle sizes and PG/VG ratios
Restrictions:
- Closed-system flavored pods are limited to tobacco and menthol flavors under federal FDA rules
- No e-liquids containing vitamin E acetate
- No nicotine concentrations above 75 mg/mL
Expected Prices (Including 30% Tax)
| Product | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Disposable vape | $12-$25 |
| Refillable pod system | $25-$50 |
| Box mod kit | $45-$85 |
| 30mL e-liquid | $16-$26 |
| 100mL e-liquid | $22-$35 |
| Nicotine salt 30mL | $16-$28 |
| Replacement coils (5-pack) | $12-$18 |
Prices in Indiana run higher than many neighboring states due to the 30% tax on vapor products plus the 7% state sales tax. Crossing the border to Kentucky or Michigan may yield lower prices, depending on the product type.
Where Can You Vape in Indiana?
Indiana's indoor vaping situation is a patchwork. At the state level, there is no ban on indoor vaping. But if you're in Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend, or any of the 20+ municipalities listed above, vaping indoors in public places is prohibited.
Where Vaping Is Prohibited (In Cities with Local Bans)
- Indoor workplaces
- Restaurants and bars (indoor areas)
- Government buildings
- Public transportation
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Retail stores and shopping centers
Where Vaping Is Generally Permitted
- Retail tobacco/vape shops - Permitted statewide and in most local ordinances
- Private residences - No restrictions
- Outdoors - Legal statewide unless a specific property prohibits it
- Private vehicles - No restrictions
- Bars and taverns (in areas without local indoor vaping bans)
- Casinos (in areas without local indoor vaping bans)
University Campuses
Most major Indiana universities have adopted tobacco-free and vape-free campus policies:
- Indiana University (Bloomington) - Smoke/vape-free campus
- Purdue University - Smoke/vape-free campus
- Ball State University - Tobacco-free campus including vapes
- University of Notre Dame - Smoke-free campus
Check individual campus policies before vaping on university grounds.
Penalties for Violating Indiana's Vaping Laws
Selling to Minors (IC 35-46-1-10)
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to person under 21 | Class C infraction | Up to $500 fine |
| Selling e-liquid with vitamin E acetate | Class B infraction | Up to $1,000 fine |
Civil Penalties (ATC):
| Offense | Civil Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | $400 |
| Second offense (within 1 year) | $800 |
| Third offense (within 1 year) | $1,400 |
| Fourth+ offense (within 1 year) | $2,000 |
| Habitual violation | Tobacco Sales Certificate revocation |
Underage Possession/Use (IC 35-46-1-10.5)
| Violation | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase, use, or possession under 21 | Class C infraction | Up to $500 fine |
Operating Without a License
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Selling without Tobacco Sales Certificate | ATC enforcement action, potential fines |
| Vape shop within 1,000 ft of school | License denial or revocation |
| Manufacturing without ATC permit | Criminal penalties, business closure |
Enforcement Reality
- The ATC conducts compliance checks at retail locations, including underage purchase stings
- Indiana's law penalizes both the seller and the underage buyer, unlike many states that only target sellers
- Vape shops are subject to state inspections and can't allow anyone under 21 on the premises
- Online sellers must verify age and include required labeling on shipments
Taxes and Costs
Indiana doubled its vape tax in 2025 as part of the state budget (HB 1001), making it one of the higher-taxed states in the Midwest.
Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| E-cigarette tax (open system/e-liquid) | 30% of gross retail income | July 1, 2025 |
| Closed system cartridge (CSC) tax | 30% of wholesale price | July 1, 2025 |
| State sales tax | 7% | Ongoing |
| Previous e-cigarette tax rate | 15% | 2019-June 2025 |
How the Tax Works
- Open-system e-liquids and vapor products: Taxed at 30% of the gross retail income collected by the retailer. This is added on top of the sale price.
- Closed system cartridges (prefilled pods, disposables): Taxed at 30% of the wholesale price, collected by the distributor.
- The e-cigarette tax is shown as a separate line item from the product price and sales tax.
- Both taxes apply in addition to the 7% state sales tax.
Retailer Licensing Fees
| License/Certificate | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco Sales Certificate (ATC) | $200 | 3 years |
| E-liquid manufacturer permit (ATC) | $1,000 initial / $500 renewal | 5 years |
| Open-system e-cigarette certificate (DOR) | Varies | 1 year |
Tax Comparison Example
For a $20 bottle of e-liquid in Indiana:
- E-cigarette tax (30%): $6.00
- Subtotal: $26.00
- Sales tax (7%): $1.82
- Total: $27.82
That same bottle would cost significantly less in states without a vape-specific excise tax.
Indiana vs. Neighboring States
| Feature | Indiana | Ohio | Michigan | Illinois | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Vaping Ban | Local only (20+ cities) | Yes (statewide) | No statewide | Yes (statewide) | No statewide |
| Flavor Ban | No | Columbus only | No | Chicago only | No (FDA-only products) |
| Vape Tax | 30% retail/wholesale | $0.10/mL | No excise tax | 15% wholesale | $1.50/cart + 15% open |
| Sales Tax | 7% | 5.75% | 6% | 6.25% | 6% |
| Age | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Nicotine Cap | 75 mg/mL | None | None | None | None |
| Product Directory | No | No | No | No | No |
| Possession Penalty (Minors) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Indiana stands out for its 30% tax rate and 75 mg/mL nicotine cap, which are stricter than most neighbors. But it's more permissive on indoor vaping (no statewide ban) and flavors (no restrictions). Michigan has no excise tax at all, making it the cheapest option for vapers in the region.
Nicotine Alternatives
When you can't vape (indoors in Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend, or any of the 20+ cities with local bans), these alternatives are available:
- Nicotine pouches (ZYN, Rogue, On!) - Legal everywhere, no indoor restrictions, discreet
- Nicotine gum - Available at pharmacies and convenience stores
- Nicotine lozenges - Discreet option for workplaces and restaurants
- Nicotine patches - Long-lasting, no visible use
- Heated tobacco products (IQOS) - May be subject to local smoking bans
All nicotine alternatives require the purchaser to be 21+ in Indiana.
Indiana Vaping Laws: Key Takeaways
- No statewide indoor vaping ban - Indiana's Smoke Free Air Law only covers lit tobacco, not e-cigarettes
- 20+ cities ban indoor vaping locally - Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend, Carmel, and many others have adopted their own ordinances
- No statewide flavor ban - All flavored e-liquids are legal; proposed flavor bans (HB 1410) have died in committee
- 30% tax on vapor products - Doubled from 15% effective July 1, 2025, making Indiana one of the priciest Midwest states for vapers
- 75 mg/mL nicotine cap - Indiana is one of few states with a maximum nicotine concentration limit on e-liquids
- 21+ with possession penalties - Indiana penalizes both sellers and underage buyers, unlike most states
- Retailer licensing required - A $200 Tobacco Sales Certificate from the ATC is mandatory, and vape shops can't operate within 1,000 feet of a school
- Vitamin E acetate is banned - Selling e-liquids containing vitamin E acetate is a Class B infraction
- Online sales are regulated - Sellers must hold proper certificates, verify age, and include required labeling on shipments
- Proposed total vape ban failed - HB 1218, which would have banned all e-liquid and vapor products, died in committee in 2025
References
- Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission - Tobacco Information
- Indiana Department of Revenue - E-Cigarette Compliance
If you're traveling through Indiana, 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.