Bill > HB1682

This bill amends Oklahoma's Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act to modify the fine structure for selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products to minors by introducing specific penalties for both employees and store managers. Under the revised law, when a tobacco or vapor product is sold to someone under 21 years old, the ABLE (Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement) Commission can now impose escalating fines not only on the employee who makes the sale, but also on the store manager. For first offenses, the employee can be fined up to $100, while the store manager can be fined up to $250; for subsequent offenses, the fines increase, reaching up to $300 for the employee and $1,000 for the store manager on third or fourth violations. The bill maintains existing provisions about requiring proof of age and provides defenses for sellers who reasonably verify a customer's age, such as checking a government-issued photo ID or using a transaction scan device. Additionally, the law continues to allow for potential suspension of the store's sales license or permit in addition to these fines, and it specifies that each franchise or business location will be considered a separate entity for violation purposes. The bill will take effect on November 1, 2025, giving businesses time to prepare for the new enforcement standards.

Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1682&Session=2600