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 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 sales. Key amendments include redefining "alternative nicotine product" and "vapor product" as tobacco products, updating signage requirements for retailers, and outlining penalties for violations related to the sale of these products.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated, requiring establishment owners or managers to complete self-teaching materials and submit a written statement to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirming employee compliance. It also stipulates that after the sixth violation of tobacco regulations, the DPHHS must notify the Department of Revenue to initiate license suspension proceedings. Significant changes include the deletion of 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 consistent with existing tobacco laws, but not more stringent than those outlined in the current chapter.

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