Staff Analysis of the Legislation
|
SB 298 amends various sections of the OCGA to provide protections for minors regarding smoking and vaping. In Title 16, bill raises the age a person must be to purchase tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21 years of age in coherence with federal law. It increases the penalties given to violators of tobacco and vapor laws that sell and distribute to persons under the age of 21. Minors breaking tobacco and vapor laws regarding selling and distributing will be subject to less severe penalties. The bill further requires vapor products to label product ingredients and restricts any packaging or labelling that is appealing to minors. In Title 20, the bill requires each local board of education and the State Board of Education to set standards on school curriculum concerning vaping and smoking. In Title 48, the bill gives the state revenue commissioner the authority to require and manage the licensing process for dealers, importers, and manufacturers of consumable vapor products. Violations of this process may result in a maximum $5,000 fine per violation or limitations placed on a violator’s license. |