The following is a summary of recent action that has taken place on tobacco-related bills pending in state legislatures:

California: Senate Bill 1400, which passed the full Senate on June 2, 2016, would allow tobacco sales only in those retail stores that obtain more than 60% of their revenue from the sale of tobacco products and paraphernalia. The restriction would take effect on January 1, 2019.

Connecticut: Senate Bill 502A, the state budget implementation bill that includes a licensing requirement for manufacturers and dealers of electronic nicotine delivery system and vapor products, was signed the Governor on June 2, 2016.

Louisiana: House Bill 215, reducing the time in which tobacco dealers may appeal a decision to withhold, suspend, or revoke a license from 30 days to 10 days, was ratified by the Senate, and is eligible for Governor’s signature.

Maryland: House Bill 1115, which increases the fee for a license to sell cigarettes in Montgomery County from $25 to $125, was enacted on May 28, 2016 with an effective date of October 1, 2016.

Massachusetts: Senate Bill 2269 (drafted from SB2234), which increases the purchase age to 21 for tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes), prohibits the sale of tobacco products by pharmacies and imposes other product restrictions, was amended and passed the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on June 2, 2016.

New Jersey: Senate Bill 359, which raises the legal age to 21 for the purchase of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, passed the Senate on May 26, 2016

New York: Assembly Bill 852, which requires retailers of electronic cigarettes, not otherwise registered with the department of taxation and finance to sell tobacco products, to register with the department of health, is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Codes Committee on June 2, 2016. Assembly Bill 5164B, which prohibits the sale of discounted cigarettes and tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Codes Committee on June 2, 2016.

Vermont: House Bill 872, which requires any retailer of tobacco substitutes (e-cigarettes, delivery devices, etc.) to obtain a tobacco substitute endorsement from the Department of Liquor Control, requiring a fee of $5, raising the annual fee for tobacco licensing or renewal from $100 to $11, and requiring a manufacturer's registration fee for any person manufacturing tobacco substitutes for sale in the state of $1,000 per brand annually, was signed by the Governor on May 31, 2016.