Senate Bill 784 Summary

• Raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products from 18 to 21 years old, effective upon enactment for tobacco and alternative nicotine products, and October 1, 2020 for vapor products.

• Establishes civil infraction penalties of up to $250 for sales clerks or employees who knowingly sell these products to minors or fail to make diligent age inquiries.

• Creates tiered penalties for retailers failing compliance checks: up to $1,000 fine for first violation, up to $1,500 and minimum 7-day sales suspension for second violation, up to $2,500 misdemeanor and minimum 30-day suspension for third violation, and up to $3,000 misdemeanor and 3-year ban for fourth or subsequent violations.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct unannounced compliance checks using underage purchasers at least once every two years at establishments selling these products.

• Changes age verification requirements to scan government-issued photographic identification for vapor products (beginning October 1, 2020) and updates age appearance threshold from 27 to 30 years old for checking identification.

• Bill is contingent on enactment of Senate Bills 781, 782, and 783.