Bill > H790

This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products (such as e-cigarettes) within 1,000 feet of any public or private school property line or within any structure located that close to a school. The legislation specifically excludes home schools and higher education institutions from this restriction. The bill provides an exception for businesses where such sales are incidental to their primary operations. Violators would be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which typically involves potential fines and possible short-term imprisonment. The terms for tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products are defined according to existing state law (G.S. 14-313). The act is set to become effective on December 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date, giving businesses and communities time to adjust to the new regulation. The primary aim of this legislation appears to be preventing youth access to these products by creating a significant buffer zone around schools.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H790