HB 5305 Summary

• Repeals and replaces Section 19a-342 of the general statutes effective October 1, 2021, maintaining existing smoking prohibitions in public buildings, health care facilities, restaurants, and most establishments with alcoholic liquor permits.

• Modifies tobacco bar exemptions by replacing the prior freeze on expansion with new requirements for tobacco bars that first begin operating on or after October 1, 2021: must be in a stand-alone building, have a walk-in humidor, be located at least 5 miles from existing tobacco bars, or use separate HVAC systems if connected to other buildings.

• Establishes that new tobacco bars (operating after October 1, 2021) must generate 51% or more of annual gross income from tobacco product sales and humidor rentals to qualify for the smoking exemption, compared to the 10% threshold for bars operating as of December 31, 2002.

• Repeals and replaces Section 19a-342a effective October 1, 2021, applying similar smoking restrictions and new tobacco bar requirements to electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products, with a 3-mile radius requirement for new vapor bars instead of 5 miles.

• Violation of smoking or vaping prohibitions constitutes an infraction; state law preempts all municipal smoking and vaping ordinances.