SMOKESHOP 04/00 - Legislation Update

April/
May 2000

Legislation, Regulations, & Initiatives...
Highlights of new legislation that has been introduced.

Alabama

H.512 Levies a 10 cent excise tax on cigarette packs, cigars, smoking and chewing tobaccos, snuff, and tobacco papers in Pickens County.

H.128 Levies a 10 cent excise tax on cigarette packs, cigars, smoking and chewing tobaccos, snuff, and tobacco papers in Randolph County.

H.129 Levies a 10 cent excise tax on cigarette packs, cigars, smoking and chewing tobaccos, snuff, and tobacco papers in Clay County.

California

S.1510 Would penalize the sale of tobacco products by means of self-service displays, outlaw packages carrying less than 20 cigarettes, and prohibit the nonsale distribution of tobacco on private property open to the general public.

Connecticut

H.5291 Would prohibit sale of cigarettes in packages of less than 20.

Delaware

H.455 Would prohibit the sale of bidis to anyone under age 18.

Georgia

H.461 Would prohibit vending machine tobacco sales.

H.1434 Would require all tobacco products to be secured within supervision of retail personnel.

S.380 Would require the display of cigarettes and tobacco products to be within view of cashier or employees.

Hawaii

H.2423 Would require tobacco product manufacturers selling cigarettes to file a report with the Attorney General.

S.2486 Would provide for the tax on cigarettes to be imposed and collected through use of excise stamps on packaging.

Illinois

H.4369 Would prohibit the sale of bidis, and require signage outlining the law.

S.1443 Would prohibit sale of bidis to anyone under age 18, with escalating fines.

S.1583 Would prohibit sale, distribution, or furnishing of bidis to any other person.

KENTUCKY

H.266 Grey Market Legislation

H.385 Model Statute Legislation

Maryland

H.1210 Would prohibit the sale, manufacture, or distribution of flavored tobacco products.

H.1219 Would prohibit the sale of bidis.

Mississippi

S.2666 Would prohibit adult use of tobacco on education property.

New Hampshire

S.450 Grey Market Legislation

H.1579 Revokes or suspends tobacco dealer’s sales license upon third violation of underage tobacco sales laws.

New Mexico

H.266 Grey Market Legislation

New York

S.6597 Safe Burning Cigarette Act would establish safety standards for cigarettes and little cigars.

S.6399 Would increase legal age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21 over time, starting with 19 immediately.

S.6460 Would permit Dept. of Taxation and Finance to withhold registration of retailers that have had previous revocations or suspensions.

Oklahoma

H.1848 Would prohibit packages containing less than 20 cigarettes.

S.J.R.20 Would increase excise tax by 27 cents per pack.

S.339 Model Statute Legislation

Rhode Island

H.7628 Would prohibit smoking in any indoor public areas or facilities accessible by minors under 18.

H.7310 Would prohibit the display and advertising of tobacco-related products in plain view of customers in any retail establishment.

H.7222 Would increase markup price for tobacco products from 6% to 12% for retailers, and from 2% to 3% for wholesalers.

South Dakota

H.1112 Requires ID for tobacco sales.

S.136 Gray Market Legislation.

Tennessee

H.2177 Would increase the state cigarette excise tax by 17 cents per pack.

H.2975 Would increase excise tax by 13 cents per pack.

H.2977 Would increase excise tax by 12 cents per pack.

H.3203 Would increase excise tax by 10 cents per pack.

S.2906 Would increase excise tax by 13 cents per pack.

Utah

S.218 Grey Market Legislation

S.141 Prohibits any person from knowingly providing any cigar, cigarette, or tobacco in any form to an individual under age 19. Imposes a Class C misdemeanor upon first offense, Class B on second offense, and Class A on all subsequent offenses.

Vermont

H.748 Gray Market Legislation.

H.752 Would increase excise tax by 26 cents per pack.

H.636 Model Statute Legislation

Virginia

H.1387 Gray Market Legislation.

S.653 Gray Market Legislation.

H.1519 Would allow Page County to impose a local cigarette tax not to exceed 20 cents per pack.

Washington

S.1375 Regulates youth access to tobacco products.

West Virginia

H.4444 Would require tobacco products sales licenses for individuals and firms selling tobacco to consumers.

H.4436 Would require photo ID for all tobacco purchases; ban direct consumer access to tobacco products; exempts tobacco specialty shops.

H.4504 Would increase the state cigarette excise tax by 33 cents per pack, and impose a flat percentage tax of 50% on the sale or use of all other tobacco products.

H.4160 Would increase the state cigarette excise tax by 50 cents per pack, and impose an excise tax of 50% of the wholesale price on other tobacco products.

S.197 Would increase the state cigarette excise tax by 50 cents per pack, and impose an excise tax of 50% of the wholesale price on other tobacco products.

Wyoming

S.37 Model Statute legislation.

H.40 Would increase the state cigarette excise tax by 3 cents per pack.

United States

S.2028 Would allow local authorities to continue to collect lawful, nondiscriminatory sales tax on online sales. In October 2001, a moratorium will expire, allowing new taxes targeted at e-commerce.

SMOKESHOP - April 2000