HB 2636 Summary

• Establishes a statewide tobacco retail sales licensing system requiring all retailers to obtain a valid license from the Department of Health Services beginning January 1, 2022, with licenses valid for two years.

• Expands the definition of "tobacco product" to include electronic smoking devices and any substance intended to be aerosolized or vaporized by such devices, along with components and accessories.

• Replaces criminal penalties for underage tobacco sales with civil penalties ranging from $500-$3,000 depending on violation frequency within 36 months, and prohibits violators from distributing tobacco products for 7 days to 3 years.

• Requires retail tobacco vendors to verify customer age via government-issued photographic identification (except for customers appearing to be 30 or older) and mandates employee training on age verification and legal sales requirements.

• Requires the Department of Health Services to conduct at least two unannounced annual compliance checks at each tobacco retailer using underage purchasers, with results published annually.