HB65 Engrossed is a comprehensive bill that seeks to amend the Code of Alabama 1975 in relation to the regulation of tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, e-liquids, and alternative nicotine products. The bill expands the definition of electronic nicotine delivery systems to include devices that deliver substances other than tobacco through vapor inhalation. It raises the legal age for purchasing these products to 21, prohibits their sale via vending machines, and establishes a Tobacco Licensing and Compliance Fund. The bill also revises the membership of the advisory board to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, mandates signage about the dangers of tobacco, and requires the adoption of a vaping awareness program in schools. It repeals Sections 28-11-15 and 28-11-19 of the Code of Alabama 1975, and includes insertions and deletions to update legal language, such as the inclusion of "delivery sale" and the expansion of the term "e-liquid."

The bill also modifies enforcement and advertising regulations, increases fines for violations, and mandates child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine containers. It requires manufacturers to certify whether their products contain synthetic nicotine or nicotine derived from non-tobacco sources and establishes a directory of compliant products. The bill imposes penalties for selling unlisted products, with fines being deposited into the Education Trust Fund for vape awareness programs. It also requires local boards of education to adopt policies prohibiting the use of these products on K-12 school campuses by students and school employees. HB65 Engrossed is set to become effective on June 1, 2024, and has passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-11-2, 28-11-3, 28-11-5, 28-11-6, 28-11-6, 28-11-7, 28-11-9, 28-11-10, 28-11-12, 28-11-13, 28-11-14, 28-11-16, 28-11-17, 28-11-18, 28-11-15, 28-11-19
Engrossed: 28-11-2, 28-11-3, 28-11-5, 28-11-6, 28-11-6, 28-11-7, 28-11-9, 28-11-10, 28-11-12, 28-11-13, 28-11-14, 28-11-16, 28-11-17, 28-11-18, 28-11-15, 28-11-19