NC H425

Raises the legal age to purchase tobacco products, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products from 18 to 21 years old in North Carolina

Creates a new mandatory tobacco retail sales permit system administered by the ABC Commission, with $400 annual application/renewal fees for retail sellers, delivery sellers, and remote sellers

Establishes administrative penalties for permit violations: fines of $500 for first offense, $750 for second offense within three years, and $1,000 for third offense, plus potential permit suspension up to three years or revocation

Requires age verification through third-party services for online/delivery sales and mandates delivery signatures from persons 21 or older; retail sellers must train employees on compliance and display age-restriction signage

Makes selling tobacco to underage persons a Class 2 misdemeanor; underage purchasers commit an infraction (no fine) and may be required to complete a free tobacco education program of at least 60 minutes