HB1980 Summary

• Establishes Arkansas Tobacco Control as a regulatory agency with a Director and Board with authority over licensing, permitting, and enforcement of tobacco, vapor product, alternative nicotine product, and e-liquid product regulations

• Replaces "licenses" with "permits" throughout tobacco control laws and increases annual permit fees for wholesalers from $500 to $1,000 and creates new permit categories for vapor and e-liquid product businesses

• Requires sellers of exempt cigarette sales to notify Arkansas Tobacco Control at least one business day before the sale and submit required information to the Director

• Adds comprehensive definitions and regulations for vapor products, e-liquid products, alternative nicotine products, and cigarette papers; expands the scope of products subject to state control and taxation

• Imposes penalties for violations including civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, permit suspension and revocation, and criminal penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on tax value of untaxed products