Committee backs tobacco, nicotine and vapor retail licensing bill with fines, annual checks and a new ABC division

The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations voted to report Senate Bill 100 favorably on Feb. 18, 2025, approving a substitute (PSS 1) that would create a retail licensing and enforcement regime for tobacco, nicotine and vapor products in Kentucky.

Sponsor Sen. Jimmy Higdon described the bill as a supply‑side enforcement measure to reduce youth nicotine use and “stop the supply of vapes and cigarettes to underage” customers. The bill would establish a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine and Vapor Products within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Under the bill as presented to the committee, that division would develop administrative regulations, conduct inspections of premises where products are manufactured, stored or sold, and perform annual compliance checks of retailers.

Key elements described in the hearing include: - Licensing and fees: Any person, firm or corporation selling tobacco, nicotine or vapor products must obtain an annual license. The sponsor said the annual license fee…