Maryland tobacco and nicotine laws

What it would do: Authorizes Baltimore City Council to enact and the Mayor to enforce local laws regulating the sale and distribution of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that are at least as stringent as state law, except for state license issuance and tax imposition.

What it would do: Establishes a Class C–PCL (premium cigar lounge) alcoholic beverages license for tobacconists, allowing on-premises consumption of alcohol purchased by customers who also buy premium cigars or pipe tobacco. Permits unlicensed tobacconists to authorize customers to bring alcoholic beverages onto premises under specified conditions.

What it would do: Prohibits licensed sellers from directly or indirectly advertising tobacco products, other tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or vaping liquid to individuals under 21 years old, and specifies prohibited advertising methods including cartoons, superheroes, and placement near schools or youth-oriented venues.

What it would do: Increases sales and use tax on electronic smoking devices from 20% to 30% and on vaping liquid in containers of 5 milliliters or less from 60% to 90%, directing revenue from the 10% rate on devices and 30% rate on vaping liquid to the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund.

What it would do: Establishes a Class C-PCL premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverages license allowing customers to consume their own alcohol while purchasing cigars or pipe tobacco. Prohibits tobacconist licenses adjacent to health care or child care facilities and exempts licensed lounges from Clean Indoor Air Act requirements.

What it would do: Requires the Governor to include $5,000,000 annually in the state budget for the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund starting fiscal year 2027, and allows up to $5,000,000 from the Cigarette Restitution Fund to be appropriated to the Fund.

What it would do: Requires the clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to publish public notice of applications for county licenses to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products at retail twice in two newspapers of general circulation and post notice at the business location for at least 10 days before issuing the license.

What it would do: Establishes a Class C-PCL premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverages license for tobacco retailers, authorizing sale of beer, wine, and liquor on-premises, and exempts licensed premises from Clean Indoor Air Act requirements. Shortens the moratorium on issuing alcoholic beverages licenses to tobacconists from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2025.

What it would do: Requires electronic smoking device manufacturers to annually certify their products to the Attorney General by June 30, deposit $75,000 in escrow, and comply with a directory system. Violations of selling non-approved devices become unfair trade practices subject to enforcement under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

What it would do: Beginning in 2026, requires nonparticipating tobacco product manufacturers to pay an equity fee of $.0188482 per unit sold to the Attorney General instead of depositing funds in escrow, with fees distributed to the Cigarette Restitution Fund.