HB833 Summary

• Establishes the criminal offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products, with violations classified as a class C felony for shipments valued at $10,000 or more and as a misdemeanor for shipments valued at less than $10,000.

• Amends the definition of "tobacco products" to include electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, subjecting them to the state's excise tax on tobacco products effective January 1, 2024.

• Requires retailers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids to obtain a retail tobacco permit and requires wholesalers and dealers of these products to obtain licenses from the Department of Taxation.

• Increases the license fee for wholesalers or dealers of cigarettes and tobacco products from $2.50 to $250 and increases the retail tobacco permit fee from $20 to $50.

• Repeals existing state laws governing electronic smoking device delivery sales, the Electronic Smoking Device Retailer Registration Unit, and provisions that preempt local tobacco regulations.