Reston Business Owner Praises Virginia Vape Enforcement Act

RESTON, VA — Radhika Murari, the founder of OmBaked, a wellness-focused CBD boutique in Reston, is praising the passage of the Virginia Vape Enforcement Act, calling it a long-overdue victory for public health over profit.

While many local retailers leaned into the high margins of flavored nicotine products, Murari intentionally kept vapes off her shelves.

"When I launched OmBaked, I made a deliberate choice: no vape products," Murari said. "Vapes are among the highest-margin items in this industry, yet I walked away from that revenue because the harm to our children and communities is real and immediate."

The legislation, which cleared the General Assembly in March 2026, aims to dismantle the "wild west" atmosphere of the Commonwealth's nicotine market. By shifting oversight from the Department of Taxation to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, the bill creates a rigorous permitting system for all tobacco and liquid nicotine retailers.

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For Murari, the shift in enforcement is personal. She notes that the marketplace has been flooded with untested, easy-to-conceal products that target adolescents.

"Youth access is rising, nicotine dependence is increasing, and the marketplace is flooded with untested products," Murari said. "This is happening now in our schools and neighborhoods."

What The Bill Does

The Vape Enforcement Act (House Bill 308 and Senate Bill 620) introduces several strict mandates intended to curb illegal sales:

• ABC Permitting: All retailers must obtain an ABC permit to sell nicotine products, subjecting them to the same scrutiny as alcohol retailers, ALXnow reported.
• Mandatory Inspections: The Office of the Attorney General must conduct unannounced "underage buyer" operations at every licensed shop at least once every 24 months, according to Middleneck News
• Heavy Fines: Penalties for selling to minors have been hiked to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for a third, with the immediate threat of license revocation, Tobacco Reporter says.
• Product Registry: It targets the sale of unapproved, flavored vaping products that are not on the Attorney General’s approved directory, Middleneck News reports.

Current Status And Spanberger’s Role

As of April 2, 2026, the bill has passed both the House and Senate and is currently sitting on the desk of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). While Spanberger has already signed a "first wave" of affordability and school safety legislation this week, she has until April 13 to sign, veto, or offer amendments to the Vape Enforcement Act.

Although the governor has not yet put pen to paper on this specific bill, she has expressed a general commitment to reviewing all remaining legislation through the lens of public safety and community well-being.

Legislative Backing

Following the end of the 2026 session, the bill’s primary backers have remained vocal. Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), a teacher by trade, emphasized that the law stops the problem before it reaches the classroom, reports IQ Radio WVTF

"You're having kids bringing them in, sharing them, using them in the bathroom," VanValkenburg said. "The real important part is stopping it before they get access to it, and that’s what this bill does."

Attorney General Jay Jones added that his office is "funded and ready" to enforce the law once it takes effect, warning shop owners that they will lose their licenses if they continue to sell illegal, untested products.

For Virginia business owners like Murari, the bill represents a shift toward a more responsible marketplace.

"It reinforces that putting people over profit is the foundation of a responsible, trusted cannabis and wellness marketplace," she said.