The bill SB 80-FN seeks to centralize the licensing, auditing, and enforcement of e-cigarette sales under the liquor commission, enhancing regulatory oversight in this sector. Key amendments include the requirement for the liquor commission to be notified of any violations by retailers, wholesalers, or manufacturers, and the expansion of the definition of "tobacco products" to encompass e-cigarettes and e-liquids. New definitions for "tobacco products manufacturer" and "tobacco products wholesaler" are introduced, mandating that these entities must be registered and licensed to operate within the state. The bill also modifies existing licensing provisions, allowing businesses already licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to obtain retail tobacco licenses for a nominal fee, and requires that all retail sales of tobacco products be recorded on cash registers.

Additionally, the bill includes significant changes such as the repeal and reenactment of annual tobacco license fees, specifying amounts for manufacturers, vending machines, sampling licenses, and wholesalers. It establishes that information regarding licenses issued will be public records, overriding previous confidentiality provisions. The bill imposes new penalties for individuals selling or possessing tobacco products or e-cigarettes without the necessary licenses, subjecting them to criminal penalties as outlined in RSA 21-J:39. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the fiscal impact still undetermined pending further information from the Liquor Commission and the Department of Revenue Administration.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 78:23, 126-K:2, 175:1, 178:2, 178:19-a, 179:58