MN HF3467

Amends Minnesota's tobacco product definition to include all products containing or derived from tobacco intended for human consumption by any method (chewed, smoked, absorbed, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, ingested), excluding FDA-approved cessation and medical products and cigarettes.

Prohibits distribution of smokeless tobacco products and cigars as traditionally defined, with exception for single serving samples in tobacco stores only.

Authorizes towns, cities, and counties to license and regulate retail tobacco and tobacco-related device sales, with licensing fees to recover enforcement costs; adult-only retail stores deriving 90 percent revenue from tobacco are exempt from open display restrictions.

Establishes administrative penalties for licensees selling tobacco or tobacco-related devices to minors: $75 for first violation, $200 for second violation within 24 months, and $250 plus 7-day license suspension for third violation within 24 months.

Creates new criminal penalties under Minnesota Statutes chapter 609 for selling nicotine or lobelia products to minors: misdemeanor for first offense, gross misdemeanor for subsequent offense within five years; allows affirmative defense if seller relied in good faith on proof of age.