From the SmokeAxis Desk
Expert resources for smoke shop owners, vape shop operators, and wholesale buyers. From licensing and compliance to sourcing strategy and market trends — everything you need to run and grow your retail business.
Latest
Louisiana quadrupled its retail tobacco permit fee in August 2026 and rebuilt how vapor products move from wholesaler to shelf. What the permit now costs, why the state's own fee page still shows the old number, and which categories are closed.
Alabama runs three separate licensing layers for a single smoke shop counter, and a vape-heavy inventory triggers a permit nearly seven times the price of the standard one. What each layer costs, who issues it, and which products the state now puts off-limits.