Alabama vape retailers take note—starting October 1, 2025, a new regulation from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABCB) will require 3rd party scanning software at all specialty ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) retailers. This rule is part of a broader effort to prevent underage sales of vapes and e-cigarettes by enforcing real-time ID verification at the point of sale. Additionally, the Alabama fake ID law aims to further tighten these regulations to ensure compliance and prevent the use of counterfeit identification.

New Requirements for Vape Shops in Alabama

Under this updated licensing condition, all ENDS specialty retailers must utilize approved ID scanning systems that meet three specific software standards. Here's what's required—and how Minor Decliner ID Scanners are already fully compliant:

✅ 1. Reads All State-Issued IDs

The system must be able to scan and validate:
- Alabama driver's licenses and non-driver ID cards
- IDs issued by all other U.S. states

Minor Decliner scanners easily meet this requirement. All models can read and validate U.S. driver's licenses and government-issued ID cards, while portable options also support passport scanning.

✅ 2. Scan Logs Must Be Retained

Scanners must maintain a log and retain that data for review

Minor Decliner systems include:
- Automated logging of every scan
- Simple green/red pass-fail interface
- Configurable log retention, with default 30-day rolling default

These logs help businesses demonstrate compliance and protect against enforcement actions.

✅ 3. No Personal Data Retention or Selling

To protect customer privacy, systems must not store or sell personal data such as names, birthdates, or license numbers.

Minor Decliner prioritizes privacy:
- No personal data is stored

- Logs contain only scan result and timestamp
- Data is stored locally

"Enhanced Logging" toggle exists but is disabled by to ensure full compliance.

Why It Matters

Retailers who fail to comply could risk fines, license suspension, or closure. The new law reflects growing pressure on regulators to curb underage vape use—and more surprise inspections are expected.

Using Minor Decliner ID Scanners ensures you're on the right side of the law, with fast, automated, and compliant age verification that's easy for staff to use.

Be Ready Before October 1st

With time running out, now is the moment for Alabama vape shops to upgrade their systems. Minor Decliner offers:
- Economical pricing
- Plug-and-play setup
- Compliance logging and reporting
- Optional fake ID detection with Intellicheck, aligning with the Alabama fake ID law requirements

📞 Contact Minor Decliner today to request a demo, get pricing, and ensure you're ready for Alabama's new vape shop rules.