Key Points
- Florida plans to amend its TANF State Plan to prohibit EBT-funded purchases of tobacco and vaping products.
- The policy affects benefit spending, not the legal sale of vape or tobacco products.
- Florida already restricted EBT purchases involving alcohol, gambling and adult entertainment.
- The Department of Children and Families said the changes would not affect benefit eligibility or payment amounts.
- The updated TANF plan still requires federal approval before implementation.
2Firsts
August 25, 2026
According to News4JAX on August 24, 2026, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state plans to expand restrictions on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits by adding tobacco and vaping products to items that cannot be purchased using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The measure will be implemented through an amendment to Florida’s TANF State Plan and will require federal approval. Florida officials said the restrictions apply to how benefits can be spent and will not affect families’ eligibility for temporary cash assistance or the amount of benefits they receive.
Florida Expands EBT Restrictions
Under existing federal and state rules, EBT cards cannot be used for purchases involving:
● Alcohol;
● Gambling;
● Adult entertainment establishments.
Florida’s expanded restrictions would also prohibit benefits from being used for:
● Tobacco and vaping products;
● Drugs or intoxicants;
● Adult content;
● Video games;
● Entertainment and theme park tickets;
● Tattoos;
● Tanning services;
● Fortune-telling or psychic services.
DeSantis said the policy is designed to ensure taxpayer-funded assistance is directed toward essential support rather than wasteful or fraudulent spending.
Restrictions Will Not Affect Benefit Eligibility
Florida Department of Children and Families Interim Secretary Kate Williams said the agency is working on the TANF State Plan amendment and will coordinate with federal partners, retailers and EBT providers to implement the restrictions.
Williams said the changes will not affect a family’s eligibility for temporary cash assistance or the amount of benefits received.
She said Florida has experience implementing similar restrictions through its Healthy SNAP initiative, launched in April, which limited SNAP purchases of soda, candy, energy drinks and ultra-processed prepared desserts.
Williams said retailers updated point-of-sale and online systems under that program to identify and block restricted products, and the same framework would help guide TANF implementation.
Policy Targets Benefit Spending, Not Vape Market Access
The Florida measure concerns how welfare funds can be spent rather than whether vape products can legally be sold.
The policy means:
● Vape companies are not prohibited from selling legal products;
● Consumers can still purchase legal vape products through other payment methods;
● The restriction applies only to TANF-funded EBT spending.
Florida officials said families would continue using benefits for everyday necessities, including food, medicine, clothing and children’s items.
The state said taxpayer-funded assistance should not be used to purchase tobacco or vaping products.
Federal Approval Required
Florida’s TANF State Plan amendment will be submitted to the federal government for approval.
DeSantis said the state has coordinated with the Trump administration and expects a positive response.
The state has not announced a specific implementation date for the new restrictions.
The policy reflects broader efforts by some U.S. states to place additional limits on how public assistance funds can be used, including restrictions involving tobacco and vaping products.
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Cover Image：News4JAX
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