Bill > HB177

This bill revises Montana's laws related to tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products by expanding and standardizing their legal definitions and regulatory treatment. Specifically, the bill reclassifies alternative nicotine products and vapor products as "tobacco products" for regulatory purposes, which means they will now be subject to the same licensing, sales restrictions, and penalties as traditional tobacco products. The bill removes a previous prohibition that prevented local governments from regulating the sale of these products, allowing municipalities more flexibility in creating their own local ordinances. Key changes include requiring a license to sell alternative nicotine and vapor products, mandating age verification for sales (no sales to individuals under 18), and establishing a consistent set of civil penalties for violations such as selling to minors. The bill also removes a specific section of existing law (16-11-313) that previously restricted local governments' ability to create ordinances about these products. These modifications aim to create a more comprehensive and uniform regulatory framework for nicotine and vapor products across the state, treating them similarly to traditional tobacco products in terms of sales, licensing, and age restrictions.

Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3689