Lawmakers debate ban on disposable vapes as waste and youth concerns collide with illicit‑market warnings

Assemblymember Erwin presented AB 7 62 to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, arguing that disposable nicotine vapes create a hazardous waste problem and fire risk because of embedded lithium batteries and that readily‑available reusable alternatives exist. "These devices have an intended lifespan of about a week," Erwin said, and urged the committee to act to keep disposable devices out of the trash and out of children’s hands.

Supporters included Californians Against Waste and multiple county sanitation districts. "A recent study found that 88% of users reported disposing of them in the trash, recycling, or littering them," said Nick Lapis of Californians Against Waste, who described spikes in waste fires and a multi‑million‑dollar recycling facility fire in one county. County and local government witnesses told the committee the devices impose large cleanup and insurance costs and endanger facility workers.

Opponents, including the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance and law enforcement witnesses, argued the majority of problematic disposable devices enter via illicit supply chains and that banning the legal, regulated products would not eliminate the hazard. "The legal product disappeared, but the environmental problem remained," Alessandra Briquette testified on behalf of convenience retail interests, citing experiences in overseas markets.

Committee members pressed the author on enforcement and the share of the market affected. The author said committee amendments expanded CDTFA seizure authority, added per‑device fines and tobacco license penalties, and expressed commitment to continue working with opponents on enforcement. The committee voted to pass AB 7 62 as amended to Appropriations with a 4‑0 roll call.

The bill proceeds to the Committee on Appropriations with added enforcement measures; stakeholders on both sides signaled continued negotiation on illicit‑market and implementation details.