Kentucky
Only tobacco and menthol vapes are legal to buy in Kentucky. Can flavored vapes be bought online?
What are vaping restrictions in Kentucky?
Kentucky implemented significant restrictions on vaping products available for sale in the commonwealth on Jan. 1, 2025.
Many Kentuckians may be affected by the new vape ban that took effect Jan. 1, 2025. Only a select number of vape products that are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration are legal to purchase in the state.
For Kentuckians who use tobacco products, here’s what products are legal to purchase in the state, which ones aren’t and what resources are available if you’re looking into quitting.
There are 34 e-cigarette products authorized by the FDA, but they are only tobacco and menthol flavored. You will no longer find any fruit or candy flavored vapes at retailers in Kentucky.
Below is the PDF detailing exactly which vapes are authorized by the FDA and therefore legal to purchase in Kentucky.
There are no safe tobacco products, according to the FDA, and that is why there are no tobacco products that are approved by the FDA, only authorized.
“While these products are authorized to be sold in the U.S., it does not mean these products are safe nor are they ‘FDA approved,’” the document reads. “All tobacco products are harmful and potentially addictive. Those who do not use tobacco products shouldn’t start.”
The answer is likely maybe. It is unlikely that Kentucky residents will be able to purchase unauthorized vapes from online retailers, unless those retailers are located out of state.
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates vape products at the federal level and would be responsible for addressing out of state manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers,” Information Officer for the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet Ricki Gardenhire told the Courier-Journal. “In state, House Bill 11 does not create separate treatment for online sellers and in person sellers. Unauthorized vape products cannot be sold to individuals and wholesalers cannot provide unauthorized products to retailers.”
However, retailers are the ones being penalized, not Kentucky residents who are of the legal age to purchase them trying to buy them.
“There are no penalties for individual purchasers in state statutes as HB 11 regulates industry members, not individual consumers,” Gardenhire said.
If you or someone you know is interested in quitting tobacco, Kentucky has free resources to help.
Quit Now Kentucky is recommended by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for people of all ages who want to quit tobacco.
“Quit Now Kentucky offers confidential, one-on-one coaching for Kentuckians who want to quit tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, dip and chew,” the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said on their website.
Some people may even be eligible for free nicotine replacement therapy like nicotine patches, gum or lozenges.
Quit Now Kentucky is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Coaching is available by phone or online chat in English, Spanish and many other languages.
Kentucky residents can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitnowkentucky.org for resources and tools for quitting tobacco.
The fact sheet below details more about the services Quit Now Kentucky offers.
Even though you must be age 21 to purchase tobacco products in Kentucky, there are still teenagers who obtain and use tobacco. My Life My Quit is another resource in Kentucky that specializes in helping those who are 17 and younger quit tobacco.
My Life My Quit can be reached at (855) 891-9989 or by texting START MY QUIT to 36072. You can also visit their website at mo.mylifemyquit.org.
Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter on Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman or Bluesky @katiewiseman
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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