House Bill No. 782 seeks to amend Louisiana's laws concerning vapor products and alternative nicotine products by introducing new definitions, such as "nicotine analogue," and significantly increasing permit fees for retail dealers and vending machine operators. Specifically, retail dealer permits will rise from $25 to $100, and vending machine operator permits will increase from $75 to $300. The bill also requires wholesale dealers to verify the validity of retail dealer permits prior to any sales, thereby tightening regulatory oversight.

In addition to the fee increases, the bill establishes stricter regulations and penalties for violations related to the sale and distribution of these products. It allows for the seizure and destruction of non-compliant products, with violators responsible for associated costs. Civil penalties are heightened, with fines for first offenses reaching up to $1,000 and up to $4,500 for third offenses, alongside potential permit suspensions or revocations. The bill also empowers the attorney general or commissioner to enforce these regulations and designates repeated violations as unfair and deceptive trade practices. Furthermore, it allows the Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) or local law enforcement to retain funds from fines, amending several sections of existing law and adding new provisions to outline penalties for violations.

Statutes affected:
HB782 Original: 26:901(1), 26:903(1), 26:911(B)(2), 26:916(B), 26:918(A), 26:1(J)
HB782 Engrossed: 26:901(1), 26:903(1), 26:911(B)(2), 26:916(B), 26:918(A), 26:1(J)
HB782 Reengrossed: 26:901, 26:903(1), 26:911(B)(2), 26:916(B), 26:918(A), 26:1(J)