Tobacco/nicotine/e-cig Age; E-cig Tax
An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to retail cigar stores; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date.
This bill aims to increase the minimum age for purchasing, possessing, or exchanging tobacco products, nicotine products, and electronic smoking devices. It also proposes new taxes on electronic smoking products and vapor products and makes changes to the tobacco use education and cessation fund. The bill would affect teenagers and young adults by limiting their access to these products and could potentially reduce tobacco-related health issues.
The bill was introduced on January 22, 2025, and after passing through several stages, including reports and amendments, it was finally sent to the governor for approval. However, on June 19, 2026, the governor vetoed the bill. Key steps include being reported passed on May 9, 2025, and May 18, 2026, and being enrolled on June 4, 2026.
Recent actions include the bill being transmitted to the governor on June 1, 2026, and then being vetoed on June 18, 2026. Before that, it had passed the House on May 19, 2026, with several amendments. The bill's journey highlights efforts to regulate the sale and use of tobacco and nicotine products to protect public health.