House Bill No. introduced by F. Smith aims to revise the regulation of tobacco products in Montana by expanding the definition of "tobacco" to include alternative nicotine and vapor products. This change subjects these products to the same licensing fees as traditional tobacco items. The bill also repeals the existing prohibition on local ordinances that restrict the sale of tobacco products, granting local governments greater authority to regulate tobacco sales. Key amendments include the redefinition of "alternative nicotine product" and "vapor product" as tobacco products, which aligns their regulatory treatment with traditional tobacco items, and updates requiring retail sellers to display signs prohibiting sales to individuals under 18 years of age.

Additionally, the bill mandates that establishment owners or managers complete self-teaching materials and submit a written statement to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirming employee compliance. It establishes penalties for violations related to the sale and distribution of tobacco products and requires that fees collected be deposited into the state general fund. Significant changes include the deletion of references to "alternative nicotine products" and "vapor products" in various sections, streamlining the focus on traditional tobacco products, and allowing local governments to adopt regulations that are not more stringent than existing state regulations. The bill ultimately seeks to create a more comprehensive regulatory framework for all tobacco-related products in Montana.

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