NevadaCan You Vape in Nevada? The Short Answer
Yes, and Nevada is one of the more vaper-friendly states, especially if you're visiting Las Vegas. Here's the quick breakdown:
- Casino gaming floors allow vaping - Exempted from the Clean Indoor Air Act
- Stand-alone bars and taverns (21+) allow vaping - Another key exemption
- No statewide flavor ban - All flavors are legal
- 30% wholesale excise tax - Moderate compared to neighboring states
- 21+ age requirement - No military exception
- No product directory - No state-managed approved product list
- Restaurants and most workplaces are vape-free - Clean Indoor Air Act applies
For Las Vegas visitors, the key takeaway is that you can vape on the casino floor but not in restaurants, lobbies, or convention spaces within those same casinos. Nevada sits in a moderate position nationally: more permissive than California or Colorado, but with indoor restrictions that matter. See our states banning vapes guide for a full comparison.
Nevada's Vaping Laws: How the Rules Work
Nevada regulates vaping primarily through the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NRS 202.2483) and the tobacco licensing and taxation statutes under NRS Chapter 370. The Clean Indoor Air Act was amended in 2019 to include vapor products, effective January 1, 2020.
Key Legislation
| Law | Year | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (original, NRS 202.2483) | 2006 | Banned smoking in most indoor public places |
| SB 263 | 2019 | Classified vapor products as OTP, imposed 30% wholesale tax |
| AB 224 | 2019 | Added vapor products to the Clean Indoor Air Act (effective Jan 1, 2020) |
| AB 360 | 2021 | Enhanced age verification with scanning technology, $100 civil penalty |
| AB 53 | 2023 | Increased retailer penalties for underage sales to $2,500-$10,000 (effective Jan 1, 2024) |
| SB 435 | 2025 | Proposed vapor product directory (failed - legislature adjourned without vote) |
| AB 279 | 2025 | Proposed generational cigarette ban (did not pass) |
Regulatory Bodies
- Nevada Attorney General's Office (Tobacco Enforcement Unit) - Primary enforcement for underage sales, compliance checks, online sales monitoring
- Nevada Department of Taxation - Tobacco retailer licensing, excise tax collection, wholesale dealer oversight
- Southern Nevada Health District - Clean Indoor Air Act enforcement in Clark County (Las Vegas area)
- Northern Nevada Public Health - Clean Indoor Air Act enforcement in Washoe County (Reno area)
- Local law enforcement - Misdemeanor citations for Clean Indoor Air Act violations
What's Legal vs. Illegal
Legal:
- All vaping devices (disposables, pod systems, box mods, rebuildables)
- All flavored e-liquids (no state flavor ban)
- All nicotine strengths (no state cap)
- Purchasing at age 21+
- Online purchases with age verification
- Vaping on casino gaming floors
- Vaping in age-restricted stand-alone bars and taverns
Illegal:
- Selling vapor products to anyone under 21
- Vaping indoors in restaurants, workplaces, and most public places
- Selling without a tobacco retail dealer license
- Online sales without third-party age verification
- Selling vapor products not clearly labeled on packaging
Vaping in Las Vegas: What Tourists Need to Know
This is the section most visitors are looking for. Las Vegas attracts over 40 million visitors annually, and vaping rules vary by location along the Strip and throughout the city.
Casino Gaming Floors
Vaping is allowed on casino gaming floors under the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act exemption (NRS 202.2483). The law exempts areas within casinos where loitering by minors is already prohibited by state law. So in practice:
- Slot machine areas - Vaping generally permitted
- Table games - Vaping generally permitted
- Poker rooms - Varies by casino; some restrict vaping here
- Sportsbooks - Generally permitted in the gaming area
Important: Individual casinos can set their own stricter policies. Some casino operators designate certain sections as non-smoking/non-vaping even on the gaming floor. Always look for posted signage.
Where You Cannot Vape in Las Vegas Casinos
Even though gaming floors are exempt, the following areas inside casinos are not exempt from the Clean Indoor Air Act:
- Restaurants and food courts - All indoor dining areas are vape-free
- Hotel lobbies and hallways - Not part of the gaming floor exemption
- Convention centers and meeting rooms - Vape-free
- Shopping areas and retail stores - Vape-free
- Theaters and show venues - Vape-free
- Spas and fitness centers - Vape-free
Las Vegas Hotel Rooms
Hotel vaping policies vary by property:
| Hotel/Resort | Vaping Policy |
|---|---|
| Most Strip properties | Non-smoking/non-vaping rooms by default; some offer smoking-permitted rooms |
| Park MGM | Entirely smoke-free and vape-free property |
| Downtown hotels | Policies vary; check with the property directly |
Most major Strip resorts (MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn) default to non-smoking rooms but offer a limited number of smoking-permitted rooms where vaping is also allowed. Fees for vaping in a non-smoking room can range from $250 to $500 as a cleaning surcharge. Always confirm your room type at check-in.
The Las Vegas Strip (Outdoors)
Vaping is generally permitted outdoors along the Las Vegas Strip and in outdoor areas. The Clean Indoor Air Act applies to indoor spaces, not outdoor public areas. Just use common courtesy around crowds, children, and building entrances.
Bars and Nightclubs
- Stand-alone bars and taverns (21+ only, no minors allowed) - Vaping permitted under the Clean Indoor Air Act exemption
- Bars and lounges inside casinos that are in the gaming area - Vaping permitted
- Restaurants with bar areas - Vaping prohibited (restaurant rules apply)
- Nightclubs - Varies by venue; many Las Vegas nightclubs allow vaping, but check individual policies
Vape Shops in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has a large number of vape shops, particularly along the Strip corridor and in shopping centers. All flavors, devices, and nicotine strengths are available. Major vape retailers and independent shops operate throughout the Las Vegas Valley. You must be 21+ with valid ID to enter and purchase.
What Can You Buy in Nevada?
Products Available
Nevada has no flavor ban and no product directory, so the market is relatively open:
Devices:
- Disposable vapes (all major brands)
- Pod systems (SMOK, Vaporesso, Uwell, GeekVape, etc.)
- Box mod kits
- Rebuildable atomizers
- All-in-one refillable systems
E-Liquids:
- All flavors (fruit, dessert, candy, menthol, tobacco)
- Freebase nicotine (all strengths)
- Nicotine salt (all strengths)
- All bottle sizes and PG/VG ratios
Expected Prices
| Product | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Disposable vape | $10-$18 |
| Refillable pod system | $25-$45 |
| Box mod kit | $40-$75 |
| 30mL e-liquid | $14-$22 |
| 100mL e-liquid | $18-$30 |
| Nicotine salt 30mL | $14-$24 |
| Replacement coils (5-pack) | $12-$18 |
Nevada's 30% wholesale excise tax pushes prices slightly above zero-tax states like Arizona and Texas, but well below high-tax states like California (67-80% effective tax) and Colorado (56% excise).
Online Purchases
Online vape sales to Nevada residents are legal with the following requirements:
- Third-party age verification confirming the buyer is 21+
- Packaging must be clearly labeled with the words "vapor products"
- Seller must collect the buyer's full name, date of birth, and residential address
- The 30% wholesale excise tax applies to online sales
Where Can You Vape in Nevada?
Nevada's Clean Indoor Air Act (NRS 202.2483) is the primary law governing where vaping is allowed. The 2019 amendment (AB 224) added vapor products to the act, effective January 1, 2020.
Where Vaping Is Prohibited
- All indoor restaurants (including those inside casinos)
- Indoor workplaces (public and private)
- Government buildings
- Schools and school grounds (public and private)
- Childcare facilities
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals
- Public transportation
- Convention centers and meeting halls
- Shopping malls and retail stores
- Hotel lobbies and non-gaming common areas
Where Vaping Is Permitted
- Casino gaming floors - Where minors are prohibited from loitering
- Stand-alone bars, taverns, and saloons - Completely enclosed, 21+ only
- Age-restricted adult entertainment venues - Strip clubs and brothels
- Retail tobacco and vape shops - Licensed establishments
- Private residences - Including rental properties (unless lease restricts it)
- Outdoors - Generally permitted in outdoor public spaces
- Private vehicles
Reno and Other Nevada Cities
The same state law applies throughout Nevada. Reno, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and other cities follow the Clean Indoor Air Act without additional local vaping ordinances beyond what state law requires. Casino gaming floors in Reno and other gaming cities follow the same exemptions as Las Vegas.
Penalties for Violating Nevada's Vaping Laws
Clean Indoor Air Act Violations (NRS 202.2483)
| Violation | Classification | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Vaping in a prohibited indoor area | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 6 months jail |
Underage Sales Violations
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Employee fails to verify age (per offense) | $100 civil penalty (AB 360, 2021) |
| Retailer sells to person under 21 (per violation, effective Jan 1, 2024) | $2,500-$10,000 civil penalty (AB 53, 2023) |
| Selling without required tobacco retail dealer license | License revocation, fines |
Age Verification Requirements
Under AB 360 (2021), retailers must:
- Ask for ID from any customer who appears under 40 years of age
- Use scanning technology or automated software-based systems to verify age
- Failure to use scanning technology carries a $100 civil penalty per offense
Enforcement Reality
- The Nevada Attorney General's Tobacco Enforcement Unit conducts compliance checks and monitors online sales
- The Southern Nevada Health District enforces Clean Indoor Air Act violations in Clark County
- Retailers must obtain a Tobacco Retail Dealer License from the Department of Taxation ($50 annual fee)
- The AG's office has pursued enforcement against both brick-and-mortar retailers and online sellers shipping to Nevada
Taxes and Costs
Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| State vapor product excise tax | 30% of wholesale price |
| State sales tax | 6.85% (minimum statewide) |
| Local sales tax | Varies (Clark County total: ~8.375%) |
| Total effective tax | ~30% wholesale + 8.375% sales tax |
Nevada's 30% wholesale excise tax was established by SB 263 (2019), which classified vapor products as "other tobacco products" (OTP). The tax applies to all vapor products, including nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids, and even empty devices.
How It Compares
Nevada's vape tax is moderate nationally. The 30% wholesale rate is lower than Colorado's 56% or California's combined ~67-80%, but higher than states with no vape tax like Arizona and Texas. Nevada's lack of a state income tax means the overall tax environment is still favorable for residents.
Nevada vs. Neighboring States
| Feature | Nevada | Arizona | California | Utah |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavor Ban | No | No | Yes (statewide) | Yes (non-tobacco/menthol) |
| Product Directory | No | Yes (DLLC) | No | Yes (registry) |
| Indoor Vaping Ban | Partial (exemptions for casinos, bars) | No statewide | Yes (statewide) | Yes (statewide) |
| Vape Tax | 30% wholesale | None | ~67-80% effective | 56% wholesale |
| Age | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Military Exception | No | Yes (18+) | No | No |
| Nicotine Cap | None | None | None | 4% |
Nevada lands in the middle of its neighbors. It is significantly more permissive than California and Utah but slightly more restrictive than Arizona (which has no vape tax and no statewide indoor ban). For travelers moving between these states, Nevada offers the unique advantage of being able to vape on casino gaming floors, something no neighboring state can match.
Nicotine Alternatives
When you can't vape (in Nevada restaurants, hotel lobbies, convention centers, or non-gaming areas of casinos), these alternatives work:
- Nicotine pouches (ZYN, Rogue, On!) - Legal everywhere, available at convenience stores and gas stations throughout Las Vegas
- Nicotine gum - Available at pharmacies, hotel gift shops, and convenience stores
- Nicotine lozenges - Discreet option for restaurants, shows, and meetings
- Nicotine patches - Long-lasting option for conventions or extended indoor events
These are especially useful during Las Vegas conventions, shows, and dining experiences where vaping is prohibited.
Nevada Vaping Laws: Key Takeaways
- Casino gaming floors allow vaping - Nevada's Clean Indoor Air Act exempts areas where minors are prohibited from loitering, including slot floors, table games, and sportsbooks
- Restaurants are always vape-free - Even inside casinos, all indoor dining areas prohibit vaping statewide
- No statewide flavor ban - All flavored vaping products remain legal in Nevada; SB 435 (2025) failed to pass
- 30% wholesale excise tax - Moderate rate established by SB 263 (2019), classifying vapor products as other tobacco products
- 21+ age requirement with no military exception - Strict enforcement with scanning technology required for age verification
- Stand-alone bars and taverns allow vaping - 21+ only, completely enclosed establishments are exempt from the indoor ban
- Hotel room policies vary - Most Las Vegas hotels default to non-smoking rooms; vaping in a non-smoking room can trigger $250-$500 cleaning fees
- Retailer penalties are steep - $2,500-$10,000 per violation for selling to minors under AB 53 (2023)
- Online sales are legal with age verification - Third-party verification required, packages must be labeled "vapor products"
- No product directory or nicotine cap - Nevada does not restrict products beyond federal FDA requirements
References
If you're flying into Las Vegas or traveling through Nevada, check our guide on traveling with your vape for airport rules and packing tips. Staying at a hotel? See our hotel vaping guide for property-specific policies.
Looking for vaping laws in other states or countries? Check our complete vaping laws guide for more destinations.