Mother Pushes NC Lawmakers to Pass Solly’s Law Three Years After Stepson’s Vaping Death
Three years after Solomon’s death from vaping, his stepmother is urging North Carolina lawmakers to pass ‘Solly’s Law,’ which has sat without a committee hearing since March 2025.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA — Three years after her stepson Solomon died from complications linked to vaping, his stepmother is urging North Carolina lawmakers to pass legislation in his memory. The state is among a few that have not raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products.
June 17, 2026 marked the third anniversary of Solomon’s death. He would have turned 18 on June 5 and was set to graduate from New Hanover High School on June 6 alongside his classmates.
A Rapid Decline After Vaping
Solomon became ill in March of 2023. His family was shocked to discover he had been vaping, as he had been a healthy member of the New Hanover High School football team before his condition deteriorated rapidly.
He was diagnosed with Popcorn Lung, a serious respiratory condition that caused shortness of breath even without physical activity, according to his stepmother’s account published by NC Newsline.
Solly’s Law Stalled in the General Assembly
On March 19, 2025, bipartisan legislation known as “Solly’s Law” — filed as House Bill 430 and Senate Bill 318 — was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly. The bill would raise the legal purchasing age for tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 and establish a state permitting system for retailers who sell those products.
As of June 2026, the bill has not received a committee hearing. Solomon’s stepmother said she has spent the past three years speaking with students, parents, educators, community members, and lawmakers across the state in an effort to advance the legislation.
“I’m disappointed we still do not have this law in place to better protect our youth from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine,” she wrote in an op-ed published by NC Newsline on June 17.
North Carolina is one of only six states that has not raised the tobacco sales age from 18 to 21, and one of just seven states that does not require retailers to obtain a permit to sell such products, according to the NC Newsline piece.
A Call to Action for Lawmakers
Solomon’s stepmother urged lawmakers to act before more families face a similar loss. “For Solomon’s 18th birthday and graduation gift, I respectfully urge lawmakers to pass Solly’s law and strengthen protections for North Carolina youth,” she wrote.
She also encouraged the public to speak with young people in their lives about how accessible vaping products are and to visit stores near local high schools to see the flavored, colorful products on sale.
Solly’s Law remains pending before the North Carolina General Assembly with no scheduled hearing date announced as of publication.
