Bill > HB975

This bill clarifies and strengthens prohibitions and penalties related to alternative nicotine products, which are defined as electronic cigarettes or any other product containing nicotine that can be ingested or inhaled, excluding traditional tobacco products, certain drugs, or devices. Specifically, it expands the existing ban on tobacco use on educational property to include alternative nicotine products and increases the fines for violations, with penalties escalating from a warning for a first offense to up to $500 for subsequent offenses. Furthermore, the bill significantly raises the penalties for furnishing or selling alternative nicotine products to individuals under 21 years old, tripling the fines to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $3,000 for a third or subsequent offense, and also requires age verification for such sales. Finally, it reintroduces a section of law that grants school superintendents and principals the authority to suspend or expel students for misconduct, including violations of these alternative nicotine product rules, if such behavior disrupts the educational environment.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0975.xml