CS/CS/CS/HB 169 Summary

• Amends Florida law to define and regulate "nicotine products" and "nicotine dispensing devices" (such as electronic cigarettes) similarly to tobacco products, with an age restriction of 18 years.

• Prohibits selling, delivering, or gifting nicotine products to persons under 18 years of age, with penalties of second-degree misdemeanor for first violation and first-degree misdemeanor for repeat violations within 1 year.

• Requires retailers selling nicotine products to post signage warning of age restrictions and maintain point-of-sale age verification materials; restricts direct sales to those under retailer's direct control or line of sight, and prohibits vending machine sales unless equipped with operational lockout devices.

• Establishes noncriminal violations for minors who possess, purchase, or misrepresent age to buy nicotine products, with penalties including community service, $25 fines, and possible driver license suspension for repeat offenses.

• Allocates 80 percent of civil fines collected to the Department of Education for teacher training and tobacco prevention research, and preempts local regulation by making tobacco and nicotine sales regulation a state-level matter; effective July 1, 2014.