You can now add the state of Maryland to the growing list of states looking to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. The new bill which has been introduced for the 2019 legislative session is sponsored by Dereck Davis (D-25), Talmadge Branch (D-45), Benjamin Brooks (D-10), Michael Busch (D-30A), Pam Queen (D-14) and Kriselda Valderamma (D-26). It will undergo it’s first hearing on February 27th at 1pm. The measure has already received the support […]
A bill has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that would prohibit tobacco products from being delivered to anyone under the age of 21. Since 2017, New Jersey has prohibited the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 21. This new measure would add language requiring the signature of a person 21 years age or older to receive a tobacco purchase. The bill AB 4896 is currently sponsored by Democrats Rep. Herbert […]
Last year the Michigan Legislature voted to remove the expiration date that capped the cigar tax at 50 cents. The current date of October 31, 2021 was struck from the bill and it was expected that now former Republican Michigan Governor Rick Snyder would sign it into law. However, just days before leaving office he opted to veto the measure. This year Senate Bill No. 58 has been introduced by Jim Runestad (R-15) and co-sponsored […]
Representatives P. Anderson (D-41), Guggisberg (D-11), Hager (D-21), J. Nelson (D-14), Schneider (D-21) and Senator Davison (R-41) have introduced bill HB 1236. The bill seeks to raise the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 19 years old. The bill calls to amend and reenact sections 12.1-31-03, 12.1-31-03.1, and 51-32-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prohibition of an individual under nineteen years of age from purchasing and using tobacco products; and to […]
On January 3rd, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of January 9th, 2019 the bill has 10 co-sponsors including: Sen. Gardner, Cory (R-CO), Sen. Manchin, Joe, III (D-WV), Sen. Cotton, Tom (R-AR), Sen. Menendez, Robert (D-NJ), Sen. Ernst, Joni (R-IA), Sen. Barrasso, John (R-WY), Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. (D-PA), Sen. Inhofe, James M. (R-OK), Sen. Kennedy, John […]
Beginning on January 16th the toughest outdoor smoking ban in the USA is set to begin in the Garden State. The new law was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy despite former Governor Chris Christie refusing to sign it throughout his tenure as the Governor. The new law will make it illegal to smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, and smokeless tobacco devices on beaches and boardwalks in the state of New Jersey In addition is will also […]
Earlier today, the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that he “seek[s] to advance” several new and sweeping policies related to flavored vapor products, flavored cigars, and combusted menthol tobacco products, including cigarettes. As a continuing service to our members, IPCPR has provided a quick breakdown of what the Commissioner said, and how it might impact our retailer members. What the FDA Commissioner said: Vapor Products Create a prohibition on the […]
Yesterday, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products announced an amended fee structure for their Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP). CMPs are the scaled financial penalties FDA issued to retailers found in violation of current regulations or requirements. A Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Complaint is used to initiate an administrative legal action against a retailer that can result in a monetary penalty, called a Civil Money Penalty. The Tobacco Control Act provides that the amount of a […]
The state of Massachusetts has become the 6th state in the country to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 with Governor Charlie Baker signing the bill into law. The new law goes into effect on December 31, 2018. However there is an exception to the law. Anyone who turns 18 before the date the new law goes into effect will still be allowed to buy tobacco unless they are in a city that has […]
According to a member of the Cigar Association of New Hampshire the bill that proposed the addition of a 65% tax on premium cigars has been defeated by more than a 3-1 margin with many politicians from both sides of the aisle voting against the increase. Additionally, HB 175 passed last week which changes the definition of a cigar bar. The original bill stated, “Does not allow cigarette smoking or service of food on the […]