Oregon bill would add all nicotine to tobacco law, shift enforcement to OHA; retailers warn of economic harm

House lawmakers on Feb. 27 considered House Bill 2528, a measure to add nicotine “from any source” to Oregon’s legal definition of tobacco products, expand licensing and civil enforcement authority for the Oregon Health Authority and extend tobacco taxation and related compliance deadlines into 2027.

The bill’s sponsor presentation and agency testimony said the changes are intended to close statutory loopholes that leave synthetic and tobacco‑free nicotine products untaxed and unevenly regulated, increase protections for youth and align state rules with federal Food and Drug Administration practice. Supporters described an amendment that narrowed OHA’s rulemaking authority and a Department of Revenue timeline that would delay tax implementation until Jan. 1, 2027, to allow technical system updates.

Sarah Wiley, manager of the Tobacco Retail License Program at the Oregon Health Authority, told the committee the bill would “close a series of loopholes in Oregon tobacco regulations” and bring oral nicotine pouches and other products under the same framework that already covers inhalant delivery systems such as e‑cigarettes. Wiley said smoking remains “the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Oregon,” and highlighted that the Tobacco Retail License Program’s enforcement since 2022 reduced sales to underage buyers from 26% to 14%.

Supporters…