This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by increasing penalties for the sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, or cartridges to individuals under 18 years of age. It establishes that no person, firm, corporation, or business entity may sell or furnish these products to minors, categorizing such actions as a misdemeanor. The penalties for violations include fines ranging from $50 for the first offense to up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses, depending on the number of violations within specified time frames. Additionally, employers are permitted to dismiss employees who violate these provisions, which will be considered "gross misconduct" for unemployment benefits eligibility.

The bill also introduces specific definitions for terms related to tobacco and vapor products, including "electronic smoking device," "tobacco product," "alternative nicotine product," and "vapor product." It repeals the previous section regarding the sale of tobacco products to individuals younger than 21 years of age, thereby streamlining the focus on protecting minors under 18 from accessing these products. The legislation emphasizes stricter enforcement and accountability for businesses and employees involved in the sale of these items to minors, with significant fines and operational consequences for violations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-9A-2, 16-9A-3