The Florida Attorney General’s Office has launched the Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory, a resource designed to help retailers identify and remove illegal nicotine products attractive to minors from their shelves. Retailers have until March 1st to remove listed devices from their inventories.
The directory lists nicotine dispensing devices that are illegal to sell or distribute in Florida under state law. These products have been identified as particularly appealing to minors.
After a 60-day grace period following a product’s addition to the directory, manufacturers who violate the statute face fines of up to $1,000 per-day, per-device.
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Retailers who sell, ship, or distribute a listed device also face a $1,000 penalty per device, in addition to other penalties under Chapter 501, Florida Statutes. As the directory is updated, retailers will have 60 days to remove any newly listed products.
“We launched Florida’s Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory to protect children from harmful products and keep harmful products that are appealing to minors off shelves throughout the state,” said Acting Attorney General John Guard. “Devices listed on the directory are illegal to sell in Florida, and those who violate the statute face hefty fines.”
The directory’s creation follows the passage of HB 1007 in 2024, which authorized the Attorney General to create a list of nicotine dispensing devices deemed “attractive to minors.” Over 150 notices have already been issued regarding such products.
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The Attorney General’s Office considers several factors when determining if a device is “attractive to minors,” including:
- Reports of harm and complaints
- Survey data indicating higher usage rates among minors
- Design elements like bright colors or cartoon characters
- Ease of use and concealment
- Resemblance to food product branding or logos
- Marketing that specifically targets minors
- Use of copyrights, trademarks, or similar markings that resemble products popular with minors, such as candy or cereal names.
The directory and related notices can be viewed online at MyFloridaLegal.com/NDD
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