Bill > SB24

This bill significantly raises the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, and nicotine products from 19 to 21 years old, aligning it with the federal age for these items. It also introduces a new tax on electronic smoking products and vapor products, with the revenue directed to the tobacco use education and cessation fund, which aims to finance programs for smoking prevention and control. The bill clarifies definitions for "nicotine" and "synthetic nicotine products," expands the scope of existing tobacco laws to include these new categories, and modifies regulations regarding retail cigar stores, allowing smoking only of cigars under specific conditions. Additionally, it establishes new rules for shipping and transporting these products, requiring age verification and tax payment, and outlines penalties for violations, including potential license suspension for businesses. The bill also includes provisions for the enforcement of these new regulations and sets different effective dates for certain sections, with most provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026, and others on July 1, 2027.