House Bill No. introduced by F. Smith seeks to revise the regulation of tobacco products by expanding the definition of "tobacco" to include alternative nicotine and vapor products, thereby subjecting them to the same licensing fees as traditional tobacco products. The bill also repeals the existing prohibition on local ordinances that restrict the sale of tobacco products, granting local governments greater authority to regulate these items. Key amendments include the redefinition of "tobacco product" to encompass alternative nicotine and vapor products, ensuring they are included in existing regulations, and maintaining age restrictions for sales to individuals under 18 years of age.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) related to tobacco product regulation, requiring establishment owners to complete self-teaching materials and submit a statement to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirming employee training. It also stipulates that after the sixth violation of tobacco regulations, the DPHHS must notify the Department of Revenue to initiate license suspension proceedings. Notably, the bill deletes references to "alternative nicotine products" and "vapor products" in various sections, streamlining the focus on traditional tobacco products while allowing local governments to adopt regulations that align with existing laws without being more stringent. Overall, the bill aims to enhance compliance and enforcement of tobacco regulations while simplifying the legal framework surrounding these products.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(1): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(2): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(3): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(4): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(5): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1(6): 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311
HB0177_1: 7-1-111, 16-11-302, 16-11-303, 16-11-304, 16-11-305, 16-11-306, 16-11-308, 16-11-309, 16-11-310, 16-11-311