The Pennsylvania vape ban hits small businesses hardest. Gina Kipp, owner of Cool Vapes in Ross Township, told CBS Pittsburgh that 95% of her inventory will become illegal overnight. "I will probably have to close my stores after 12 years," she said .
James Wyckoff, manager of Mountain Vaporz, reported that unapproved products represent nearly 70% of his store's revenue. "Nothing that's been approved, we carry," he said. "That case, these two walls, all have to be bare" .
On Philadelphia's South Street, vape products account for 25% to 75% of store revenue. Several shop owners were unaware the law even existed. One store manager, who asked not to be identified, called it "monopolizing the market" and said customers are already planning trips to New Jersey .
Pennsylvania already imposes a 40% wholesale tax on vape products, one of the highest in the nation. Shop owners question how the state will recoup lost tax revenue when most products disappear from the market.




