Increases minimum legal age of sale of tobacco and vapor products to age 21.
Permits the Governor to seek government-to-government consultations with tribes about raising the minimum legal age of sale in cigarette tax compacts.
Would be effective January 1, 2020.
*Companion to SB 5057*
Amendments:
Final Amended/Signed Bill (Updated on 4.12.19):
- A person who sells cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, tobacco, or vapor products to a person under the age of 21 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
- The signs that licensed retailers and wholesalers of tobacco and vapor products must display concerning the prohibition of tobacco and vapor product sales to persons under the age of 18 are updated to 21, respectively.
- The sign language that previously stated an individual under 18 purchasing a tobacco or vapor product could be penalized is removed, and additional language stating identification is required only upon request is added.
- Tobacco products may not be sold through a vending machine unless the machine is located in a place where persons under the age of 21 are prohibited or in an industrial worksite where persons under the age of 21 are not employed, and it is located at least 10 feet from entrances and exits.
- A person may not offer a tasting of vapor products to the general public unless, among other things, entry into the licensed premises is restricted to persons 21 years of age and older.
- The definition of “minor” is removed.
- Interagency agreements between the Department of Health and the Liquor and Cannabis Board must set enforcement standards to reduce the extent to which tobacco and vapor products are available to persons under the age of 21.
- The Governor is permitted to seek government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Indian tribes regarding raising the minimum age of sale in compacts for cigarette tax contracts.
The Office of the Governor must report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature on the status of the consultations by December 1, 2020.
