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Tag: tobacco laws

  • Vermont Tightens Tobacco Regulations

    Vermont Tightens Tobacco Regulations

    Vermont enacted sweeping changes to its tobacco and nicotine regulatory framework, effective July 1. The legislation expands statutory definitions to include “tobacco substitutes” and significantly increases licensing costs, with tobacco license renewal fees rising from $110 to $1,000 and tobacco substitute endorsement fees increasing from $50 to $1,000.

    The law also raises civil penalties and prohibits the marketing, branding, labeling, advertising, distribution, or sale of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes that imitate non-tobacco consumer products, a measure aimed at reducing youth appeal.

    Under the new tax structure, tobacco substitutes containing less than 5 mg of nicotine per gram will be taxed at 92% of the wholesale price, while products containing 5 mg per gram or more will face a 100% wholesale tax rate.

    To strengthen enforcement, Vermont is creating a permanent Investigator position within the Department of Liquor and Lottery to oversee compliance and investigate violations related to direct-to-consumer sales and delivery of alcohol and tobacco products. The state has appropriated $160,000 from the Tobacco Litigation Settlement Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support the new enforcement role.

  • Maryland Adds Two Tobacco-Related Laws

    Maryland Adds Two Tobacco-Related Laws

    Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed two tobacco-related bills aimed at expanding regulatory oversight and tightening control of vaping products, both set to take effect on October 1. Senate Bill 279 grants Baltimore City new authority to enact and enforce local regulations on cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that are at least as stringent as state law, marking a shift toward greater local control and potentially creating stricter rules at the city level. The measure also introduces local licensing requirements, with partial fee sharing with the state, and has drawn mixed reactions from public health advocates and industry groups concerned about regulatory fragmentation.

    Senate Bill 249 introduces additional licensure requirements for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell electronic smoking devices, aiming to improve oversight and tax compliance in the vape market. The legislation targets gaps in enforcement, with officials noting that a significant portion of retailers have been improperly taxing these products.