Protect Mississippi’s Right to Safer Alternatives and Small Business Survival – Oppose HB 916

Mississippi House Bill 916 (HB 916) is now law — and its consequences are far more serious than most residents realize. It aims to ban the sale of any nicotine vaping product that is not explicitly listed in a state-controlled directory. But here’s the truth:

That directory will only include products with full FDA authorization or review — a standard that most flavored vapes have not yet met. The result? Almost every flavored vape product on the shelves today will become illegal to sell in Mississippi by the end of 2025.

  What HB 916 Does:
 

Creates a “banned by default” system where vape products must be on a state-approved list to remain legal — even if they’re federally legal.
Applies massive fines (up to $1,500 per product per day) for anyone who sells unlisted items.
Only allows a few products from large corporations, mainly tobacco and menthol flavors.
Gives vape shops 60 days after October 1, 2025 to remove or destroy non-compliant inventory.
 

  The Fallout:
 

Adult consumers who have quit smoking by using fruit, dessert, and menthol vapes will suddenly lose access to the tools they rely on.
Small, independently owned vape shops — which make up the majority of the retail vape industry in Mississippi — will be forced to either close or drastically cut operations.
The vaping industry in Mississippi supports $135 million in economic impact, including $30 million in wages and $23 million in taxes. HB 916 jeopardizes all of that.
The law could backfire — pushing adults back to combustible cigarettes or into the unregulated black market for flavored products.
 

  We Agree: Youth Shouldn’t Vape.
 

But this law does not address the real problem — it punishes adults and businesses that are already complying with ID checks and sales restrictions. There are better, smarter, federally-aligned ways to keep products out of the hands of minors without stripping away the rights of adults.

  What We’re Asking:
 

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the Mississippi State Legislature to:

Reconsider or amend HB 916 to allow adult-use flavored vape products that meet federal standards.
Protect adult access to safer, non-combustible alternatives to smoking.
Support small businesses that are operating responsibly under existing age restrictions.
Avoid duplicative laws that go beyond what the FDA already regulates, creating confusion and unnecessary burden on Mississippi businesses and consumers.
 

  Why Your Signature Matters:
 

We’re asking for a fair, reasonable approach — one that puts public health and economic stability on the same team.

Every signature is a message to our lawmakers that Mississippians value:

Freedom of adult choice
Access to harm reduction tools
Locally owned businesses and jobs
Legislation based on balance, not bans
 

Let’s send a clear, respectful signal to our elected officials that we want smart regulation — not overreach.

Sign this petition today and help protect Mississippi’s future.