HB1565 Summary

• Raises the minimum purchase age for tobacco products, vapor products, alternative nicotine products, e-liquid products, and cigarette papers from 18 to 21 years old, with exceptions for military members and those who attained 19 years of age by December 31, 2019.

• Creates an additional tax of 50 cents per package of 32 sheets of cigarette paper and dedicates revenues from tobacco and cigarette paper taxes to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Institute Designation Trust Fund.

• Repeals border zone tax rates for cigarettes in Arkansas to apply uniform taxation across the state.

• Increases the presumed cost of doing business for retailers under the Unfair Cigarette Sales Act from 7.5% to 9.5% of basic cigarette costs.

• Modifies enforcement provisions related to tobacco sales to minors and updates definitions of "minor" throughout tobacco control statutes to reflect the new 21-year-old age requirement.