Is vaping legal in Louisiana?

Yes, but heavily regulated. Louisiana enforces a VAPE Directory system through the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC). Only products listed on the directory can be legally sold. Most popular disposable brands like Elf Bar, Puff Bar, and Geek Bar are banned because they lack FDA authorization and directory listing.

Can you vape in New Orleans bars and restaurants?

No. New Orleans passed a strict smoke-free ordinance in 2015 that bans both smoking and vaping inside all bars, restaurants, casinos, and enclosed public places. Exceptions exist for dedicated vape shops, cigar bars, and hookah bars. Outdoor areas including Bourbon Street sidewalks are generally permitted.

What is the vaping age in Louisiana?

You must be 21 or older to purchase, possess, or use vapor products in Louisiana. Retailers must verify age with photo ID for anyone appearing under 30. Minors may possess vapor products only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or in a private residence.

How much is the vape tax in Louisiana?

Louisiana charges an excise tax of $0.15 per milliliter of consumable nicotine liquid. This rate took effect July 1, 2023, tripling the previous rate of $0.05/mL. Standard state sales tax of 4.45% plus local sales taxes also apply on top of the excise tax.

Are flavored vapes banned in Louisiana?

There is no explicit state flavor ban, but Louisiana's VAPE Directory system effectively removes most flavored disposable vapes from the market. Only products from manufacturers who have registered with the ATC and appear on the directory can be sold. FDA-authorized brands like NJOY, Vuse, and JUUL (tobacco and menthol flavors) remain available.

Can you buy vapes online and have them shipped to Louisiana?

Online sales are permitted but strictly regulated. Sellers must verify the buyer's age through a real-time electronic age verification platform, and age must be verified again at delivery with a signature from someone 21 or older. Only products listed on the VAPE Directory can be legally shipped into the state.

Can You Vape in Louisiana? 2026 Laws, VAPE Directory & New Orleans Guide

Can You Vape in Louisiana? The Short Answer

Yes, but Louisiana is one of the more heavily regulated states for vaping. The VAPE Directory system and strict enforcement by the ATC have dramatically reduced what you can buy:

21+ age requirement with ID verification for anyone under 30
VAPE Directory system - only ATC-approved products can be sold
Most popular disposables banned - Elf Bar, Puff Bar, Geek Bar, and similar brands removed
$0.15/mL excise tax on all consumable nicotine liquid
No statewide indoor vaping ban, but New Orleans and Baton Rouge have strict local bans
New Orleans: no vaping inside bars, restaurants, or casinos since 2015
Penalties: fines of $50-$500 for age violations, product seizure for directory violations

If you are visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or any other reason, the key thing to know is that vaping outdoors on Bourbon Street and the French Quarter sidewalks is fine, but step inside any bar or restaurant and you need to put it away. For a broader look at how states are approaching vape regulation, see our guide on states banning vapes.

US Vaping Laws

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See how Louisiana's laws compare across all 50 states

Louisiana Vaping Laws: How the Rules Work

Louisiana regulates vaping through a combination of state legislation and a product directory system managed by the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC).

Key Legislation

Law	Year	Effect
LA R.S. 26:901-926	Ongoing	Core tobacco and vapor product regulation rules
Act 414	2023	Established the VAPE Directory, required manufacturer certification
Act 567	2024	Updated directory requirements and enforcement provisions
Federal T21	2019	Raised purchase age to 21 nationwide
LA R.S. 14:91.6	Ongoing	Criminal penalties for distributing vapor products to minors
LA R.S. 14:91.8	Ongoing	Prohibits possession by persons under 21

Regulatory Bodies

Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) - Manages the VAPE Directory, enforces product compliance, issues retail permits, conducts inspections
Louisiana Department of Revenue - Collects the $0.15/mL excise tax on vapor products
Louisiana Department of Health - Oversees public health aspects and school-related vaping policies

The VAPE Directory System

The Vapor and Alternative Nicotine Products E-cigarette (V.A.P.E.) Directory is central to Louisiana's approach. Here is how it works:

Manufacturers must certify their products with the ATC and pay applicable fees
Products are listed on the publicly available directory (updated monthly)
Retailers can only sell products that appear on the current directory
Non-compliant products are subject to seizure and retailers face fines and permit suspension
Enforcement began March 18, 2024, after an initial grace period and a legal challenge by retailers

The directory is available at atc.louisiana.gov and is updated on the 1st of each month.

What the Directory Means in Practice

The VAPE Directory effectively eliminates most of the disposable vape market. The vast majority of popular brands (Elf Bar, Puff Bar, Geek Bar, Flum, HQD, Lost Mary, and EscoBars) are not on the directory because they lack FDA marketing authorization. The brands that remain are primarily from major tobacco companies:

Vuse (R.J. Reynolds)
NJOY (Altria)
JUUL
Blu
Logic
BIDI Stick

As of December 2025, the directory lists 397 certified products.

Vaping in New Orleans: What Tourists Need to Know

New Orleans is Louisiana's biggest draw for visitors, and its vaping rules differ from the rest of the state. Whether you are heading to the French Quarter for Mardi Gras, catching a set at Preservation Hall, or hitting up Bourbon Street on a Saturday night, here is what you need to know.

The New Orleans Smoke-Free Ordinance

New Orleans City Council unanimously passed its Smoke-Free Air Act in January 2015, effective April 22, 2015. The ordinance is one of the strictest in the South:

Smoking and vaping banned inside all bars, restaurants, casinos (including Harrah's), gaming facilities, workplaces, and enclosed public places
Banned within 25 feet of building entrances
Banned in most outdoor recreational areas managed by the city
Applies to e-cigarettes and vapor products explicitly

Where You CAN Vape in New Orleans

Bourbon Street sidewalks and streets - Smoking and vaping are permitted on the street and sidewalks in the French Quarter
Outdoor patios - Many bars have outdoor seating where vaping is allowed (check with staff)
Dedicated vape shops - Exempt from the indoor ban so customers can sample products
Cigar bars and hookah bars - Exempt from the ordinance
Jackson Square area - Outdoor spaces are generally fine
Your hotel balcony - If your hotel permits it (check first)

Where You CANNOT Vape in New Orleans

Inside any bar or restaurant - Including French Quarter bars and Bourbon Street clubs
Harrah's Casino and other gaming floors
Hotel lobbies and indoor common areas
Within 25 feet of building entrances
The Superdome and Smoothie King Center
Convention Center
City parks - Some have restrictions on smoking/vaping
Public transit - RTA buses, streetcars

Practical Tips for New Orleans Visitors

Bourbon Street: You can vape while walking the street itself, but step off the sidewalk before reaching a door if you are entering a bar
Jazz clubs and music venues: No vaping inside, even in the back. Find an outdoor area
Hotels: Most New Orleans hotels are non-smoking and non-vaping in rooms. Book a room with a balcony if vaping is important to you
Mardi Gras parades: Outdoor events, so vaping is generally fine along the parade route
Jazz Fest: Outdoor festival grounds are generally permissive, but check the event's specific rules each year
Buying supplies: Vape shops exist in the city but the VAPE Directory limits product selection. Bring what you need

For more tips on traveling with your gear, see our guide to traveling with your vape.

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish) has its own Smoke-Free Baton Rouge ordinance that bans smoking and vaping in:

Restaurants and bars
Casinos and gaming facilities
Hotels and motels
Workplaces
Schools and airports
Other indoor public locations

The rules in Baton Rouge closely mirror those in New Orleans.

What Can You Buy in Louisiana?

Available Products (On the VAPE Directory)

Louisiana's product selection is limited to directory-listed items. Here is what is currently available:

Closed-System Devices (Pods/Cartridges):

JUUL (tobacco, menthol)
Vuse Alto and Vuse Solo (tobacco, menthol)
NJOY Ace (tobacco, menthol)
Blu (tobacco, menthol)
Logic (tobacco, menthol)

Disposable Vapes:

BIDI Stick
NJOY Daily
Other certified brands (limited selection)

Open-System E-Liquids and Devices:

Refillable pod systems and box mods are available
E-liquids from certified manufacturers in various flavors
Nicotine salt and freebase options

What You CANNOT Buy

Elf Bar / EB Design
Puff Bar
Geek Bar
Lost Mary
Flum
HQD
EscoBars
Most Chinese-manufactured disposable vapes
Any product not on the VAPE Directory

Expected Prices

Product	Price Range
JUUL Starter Kit	$10-$20
JUUL Pods (4-pack)	$16-$22
Vuse Alto Kit	$10-$15
Vuse Replacement Pods (2-pack)	$10-$16
NJOY Ace Starter Kit	$8-$12
NJOY Daily Disposable	$7-$10
BIDI Stick Disposable	$8-$12
Refillable Pod System (device)	$25-$50
30mL e-liquid	$15-$25
100mL e-liquid	$22-$38

Prices in Louisiana are higher than in neighboring Texas due to the $0.15/mL excise tax. For a 30mL bottle of e-liquid, that adds $4.50 in excise tax alone, on top of sales tax.

Where Can You Vape in Louisiana?

Statewide Rules

Louisiana's Clean Indoor Air Act has NOT been amended to include vaping statewide. Still, specific state-level restrictions do exist:

Prohibited by state law:

School property - All school buildings, grounds, playgrounds, school vehicles, and school-sponsored events
Vehicles with children - Illegal to vape in a vehicle when a child under age 13 is present

Left to local regulation:

Indoor workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public buildings are regulated at the city and parish level

Local Indoor Vaping Bans

Many Louisiana municipalities have passed their own ordinances that include e-cigarettes:

Location	Indoor Vaping Ban	Covers
New Orleans	Yes (since 2015)	Bars, restaurants, casinos, workplaces, public places
Baton Rouge	Yes	Restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, workplaces
Shreveport	Yes	Many enclosed public places
Lafayette	Partial	Some public buildings and workplaces
Lake Charles	Partial	Select public places
Rural parishes	Generally no	Follow state law only

Where Vaping Is Generally Permitted

Outdoors statewide (unless a local ordinance restricts it)
Private residences
Private vehicles (unless a child under 13 is present)
Vape shops (exempted in most local ordinances)
Designated outdoor areas at bars and restaurants
Rural areas and smaller towns without local ordinances

Practical Advice

In New Orleans or Baton Rouge: Assume you cannot vape indoors anywhere
In smaller cities: Ask the establishment before vaping inside
Outdoors: Generally fine statewide
Driving through: Do not vape with children under 13 in the car

Penalties for Violating Louisiana Vaping Laws

Sales to Minors (Under 21)

Violation	Penalty
First offense	Fine up to $50
Second offense	Fine up to $100
Third offense	Fine up to $250
Fourth and subsequent	Fine up to $500
Repeated violations	Suspension or revocation of tobacco retail permit

VAPE Directory Violations (Retailers)

Violation	Penalty
Selling non-directory products	Fines per individual product on shelves
Possession of non-directory products for sale	Product seizure
Repeated non-compliance	Permit suspension or revocation
Continued sale after suspension	Additional fines and criminal referral

Minor Possession Violations

Violation	Penalty
Possession under 21 (first offense)	Fine up to $50
Subsequent offenses	Escalating fines up to $500

Exceptions to minor possession: A person under 21 may possess vapor products if accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian who is 21+, or if in a private residence, or if handling them during the course of employment.

Enforcement Reality

ATC agents conduct regular inspections of retail locations
Enforcement ramped up in March 2024 after the directory grace period ended
Focus is on retailers selling non-directory products
Consumer possession of non-directory products for personal use is not the primary enforcement target
Product seizure is common, and ATC agents can confiscate non-compliant products from store shelves

Taxes on Vaping Products

Tax Breakdown

Tax	Rate	Details
State excise tax	$0.15 per mL	On consumable nicotine liquid solution
State sales tax	4.45%	Standard state rate
Local sales tax	Varies (up to ~5.5%)	Parish and municipal taxes
Total sales tax	~8.45-9.95%	Combined state + local

How the Excise Tax Works

The excise tax is levied on the volume of consumable nicotine liquid rather than the wholesale price:

$0.15 per milliliter of e-liquid or nicotine-containing material
Applied at the wholesale level (passed on to consumers in retail pricing)
Covers all vapor products including pods, cartridges, disposables, and bottled e-liquid

Tax History

Period	Excise Tax Rate	Change
Before July 1, 2023	$0.05/mL	Original rate
July 1, 2023 - present	$0.15/mL	Tripled (3x increase)

Tax Impact on Common Products

Product	Liquid Volume	Excise Tax Added
JUUL Pod (0.7mL)	0.7 mL	$0.11
JUUL 4-Pack	2.8 mL	$0.42
Disposable vape (2mL)	2 mL	$0.30
30mL bottle e-liquid	30 mL	$4.50
60mL bottle e-liquid	60 mL	$9.00
100mL bottle e-liquid	100 mL	$15.00

The excise tax hits bottled e-liquid users hardest. A 100mL bottle picks up $15.00 in excise tax alone before sales tax is applied.

Louisiana vs. Neighboring States

Feature	Louisiana	Texas	Arkansas	Mississippi
Minimum Age	21	21	21	21
Excise Tax	$0.15/mL	None	None	None
Flavor Ban	No (directory limits selection)	No	No	No (registry limits selection)
Product Directory/Registry	Yes (VAPE Directory)	No	Yes (manufacturer directory)	Yes (HB 916 registry)
Indoor Vaping Ban	Local only	Local only	Yes (statewide)	Yes (statewide)
Disposable Bans	Via directory (most removed)	Yes (Chinese-made)	Via directory	Via registry
Online Sales	Permitted with age verification	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
Military Exception	No	Yes (18+)	No	No

Louisiana and its neighbors are all moving toward directory or registry systems to control the vape market, but Louisiana was one of the first to enforce its system aggressively. Texas stands out for having no excise tax, while Arkansas also has no excise tax and a less restrictive environment overall.

Nicotine Alternatives Available in Louisiana

If the VAPE Directory limits your preferred products, consider these alternatives that are available in Louisiana:

Nicotine pouches (ZYN, On!, Rogue, etc.) - Widely available, no vaping restrictions apply
Nicotine gum - Over-the-counter, available at any pharmacy
Nicotine patches - Over-the-counter
Nicotine lozenges - Over-the-counter
Heated tobacco products (IQOS, if available) - Subject to tobacco regulations
Traditional cigarettes - Legal but subject to separate tobacco taxes and indoor smoking bans

Nicotine pouches in particular have become popular among former vapers in states with strict product registries, as they face fewer restrictions and are available at most gas stations and convenience stores.

Key Takeaways

Louisiana uses a VAPE Directory system, and only products listed by the ATC can be legally sold, which eliminates most popular disposable vape brands
The excise tax is $0.15 per milliliter of consumable nicotine liquid, tripled from $0.05/mL in July 2023
You must be 21 or older to purchase, possess, or use vapor products, with limited exceptions for minors accompanied by parents
New Orleans bans indoor vaping in all bars, restaurants, casinos, and enclosed public places since April 2015
Outdoor vaping in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street is permitted. You can vape on the sidewalks and streets, just not inside establishments
The state Clean Indoor Air Act does not include vaping, but major cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge have their own strict bans
Selling non-directory products results in fines per item, product seizure, and potential permit suspension or revocation
Vaping in a car with a child under 13 is illegal under state law
Online purchases are allowed but require real-time electronic age verification and a 21+ signature at delivery
Louisiana is stricter and more expensive than neighboring Texas and Arkansas due to the excise tax and aggressive directory enforcement

References

Looking for vaping laws in neighboring states? Check out Texas or Arkansas, or browse our complete vaping laws guide for all states and countries.