California’s recently proposed “AB 762 Bill” plans to completely ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, becoming one of the most regulated policies among US states. The bill has the dual goals of public health protection and environmental protection:
Health risk control: Disposable e-cigarettes are accused of exacerbating adolescent addiction and respiratory diseases due to the presence of nicotine, formaldehyde and other substances. Supporters of the bill cited Korean research data that the incidence of asthma among adolescents increased by 2.7 times after using e-cigarettes;
Environmental pollution control: Plastic shells, lithium batteries and heavy metal residues in disposable devices are listed as key control targets. The California government estimates that more than 2,000 tons of toxic waste are generated by e-cigarettes each year.
The bill also stipulates a tiered fine mechanism: a fine of $500 for the first violation and a fine of $2,000 for the third or more violations. However, opponents warn that this move may stimulate black market transactions. For example, after New Zealand’s similar ban in 2024, the online sales of illegal flavored e-cigarettes surged by 80%.
In February 2025, GUUTUU released the “EcoPod Pro” series, which adopts a modular design: the battery is removable and reusable, and the material of the cartridge is changed to corn starch-based bioplastics; the product claims to reduce the use of plastic by 75% and is certified as “degradable industrial waste” by a third-party agency.
Deploy an AI age verification system at the sales end, requiring consumers to upload their ID cards and complete dynamic face recognition; proactively remove controversial flavors such as mango and mint, and only retain the tobacco flavor product line to comply with California’s proposed full flavor ban.
GUUTUU and the California Retailers Association launched a lobbying campaign, advocating “replacing a total ban with technological innovation” and submitted an industry white paper to the state legislature, proposing tax cuts for companies that adopt environmentally friendly technologies; its CEO publicly questioned the scientific nature of the bill: “If disposable devices are banned, cartridge-type products may also cause pollution, and policies should focus on material standards rather than product forms.”
Manufacturer transformation pressure: Many OEM factories in Shenzhen, China have started the transformation of rechargeable device production lines, and the cost is expected to increase by 15%-20%; Channel business risk transfer: Some convenience stores have begun to clear inventory and switch to selling “compliant alternatives” such as GUUTUU, but small retailers are worried that the pressure of fines will lead to operational difficulties; Consumer behavior changes: A 2024 California e-cigarette user survey showed that 38% of respondents said they would turn to illegal channels to buy, and 27% planned to switch to traditional cigarettes.
Supporters: Citing the case of Arkansas’ online sales ban, they said that strict law enforcement can reduce the access of teenagers; Opponents: Pointing out that the experience of New Zealand, Illinois and other places shows that bans may give rise to more hidden illegal markets. GUUTUU proposed a compromise solution: it is recommended that California refer to the EU’s “Disposable Plastics Directive” and impose an “ecological tax” on e-cigarettes for the construction of a recycling system, rather than a one-size-fits-all ban.
The California bill has pushed e-cigarette regulation to a new level, but GUUTUU’s practice has revealed a possible way out: transforming environmental protection and compliance into market competitiveness through technological innovation. If its biodegradable cartridge technology passes FDA review, it may provide a transformation model for the industry. However, in the game between public health and commercial interests, whether companies can truly balance social responsibility and survival needs remains unknown.
Tags: California bans disposable e-cigarettes, environmental pollution control, nicotine addiction among teenagers, guutuu vape