Henrico County, Virginia Cracks Down on Illegal Vape Shops, Citing Threats to Public Health and Youth Safety

Key Points

• Violations: Vape shops are accused of selling to minors without ID checks and marketing with fruit flavors.
• Health risks: E-cigarettes may cause cancer and lung disease and can contain dangerous levels of heavy metals.
• Environmental issues: Disposable vapes worsen plastic waste and e-waste pollution.
• Regulatory measures: Laws require shops to be set back from schools and churches and to obtain permits, but some businesses evade oversight.
• Official stance: Cooper says unapproved shops have proliferated since 2024, leaving the community “overrun.”

2Firsts, September 2, 2025 — According to TCD, Henrico County officials said they will intensify enforcement against non-compliant vape shops after some stores were found selling e-cigarette products to minors without verifying identification and using fruit-flavored marketing to attract youth.

Fairfield District Supervisor Pastor Roscoe D. Cooper III emphasized: “This is not just a health issue; it’s a community and children’s safety issue.”

In recent years, the U.S. e-cigarette industry has grown rapidly and is projected to reach $40 billion by 2028. At the same time, concerns about safety and legality have mounted. Research indicates e-cigarettes, like combustible cigarettes, may increase the risks of cancer and lung disease, and some disposable devices contain high levels of heavy metals. The widespread discarding of disposables has also intensified plastic waste and e-waste pollution.

On the regulatory front, Henrico County has enacted rules requiring vape shops to keep a distance from schools, churches, and childcare centers and to obtain temporary permits. But Cooper noted that some businesses register as “tobacco shops” or “convenience stores” to circumvent the law while in practice selling only e-cigarettes.

“Since 2024, we haven’t approved a single new vape shop, yet many have opened in the community, almost to the point of being overrun,” Cooper said.

Local police and regulators say they will further strengthen enforcement to ensure the market operates properly and to prevent minors from accessing and using e-cigarettes.