New Jersey tobacco and nicotine laws

What it would do: Increases civil penalties for retailers selling tobacco and vapor products to persons under 21 years of age from $250/$500/$1,000 to $750/$1,500/$3,000 for first, second, and subsequent violations, and requires the Division of Taxation to suspend or revoke retail licenses after violations.

What it would do: Criminalizes unlicensed sales of marijuana and vapor products as third-degree crimes with fines of $10,000-$50,000 for individuals or $100,000-$250,000 for entities. Criminalizes sales of flavored vapor products as petty disorderly persons offenses to second-degree crimes depending on quantity.

What it would do: Prohibits delivery of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices to residences without obtaining the signature of a resident who is at least 21 years of age, and applies existing civil and criminal penalties for violations.

What it would do: Increases civil penalties for retailers selling tobacco or vapor products to persons under 21 years of age from $250/$500/$1,000 to $500/$1,000/$2,000 for first, second, and subsequent violations, with reduced $100 penalty for compliant small businesses, and directs 5% of penalties to the Department of Health for educational programs.

What it would do: Requires the Attorney General or Commissioner of Health to inspect retail cigarette and vapor product dealers at least twice annually, with follow-up inspections within three months of violations.

What it would do: Increases from one to three percent the amount of cigarette and tobacco products tax revenues directed to the Department of Health for evidence-based tobacco control programs, effective July 1, 2018.

What it would do: Deletes the exemption from the Smoke-Free Air Act for casinos and casino simulcasting facilities, making smoking bans applicable to those venues.

What it would do: Increases the tobacco products wholesale tax rate from 30 percent to 50 percent of wholesale price, increases moist snuff tax from $0.75 to $1.50 per ounce, and adds oral nicotine pouches to taxable tobacco products. Requires distributors, wholesalers, and retail dealers to report inventory and pay additional taxes on existing stock.

What it would do: Prohibits the New Jersey Transit Corporation from displaying advertisements that promote gambling, tobacco products, or vapor products, except advertisements promoting compulsive gambling prevention and treatment programs.

What it would do: Prohibits any person from advertising vapor products or promoting their use on social media platforms in a manner that targets individuals under 21 years of age, with civil penalties up to $250,000 per violation.

What it would do: Increases civil penalties for retailers selling tobacco and vapor products to persons under 21 years of age from $250/$500/$1,000 to $750/$1,500/$3,000 for first, second, and subsequent violations, and requires the Division of Taxation to establish compliance reporting and anonymous violation reporting mechanisms.

What it would do: Expands the definition of tobacco products to explicitly include vapor products, increases civil penalties for selling tobacco or vapor products to persons under 21 from $250-$1,000 to $10,000-$20,000, mandates license suspension after a third violation and revocation after a fourth violation, and requires 25 percent of penalties fund youth tobacco and vaping prevention education.

What it would do: Increases annual cigarette and tobacco tax revenues to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $10 million and establishes a dedicated non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund, with at least $5 million each for general and pediatric cancer research.

What it would do: Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances allowing new cigar lounges exempt from smoke-free air laws, subject to local board of health registration requiring no food or alcohol sales, distinct public entrance, appropriate exhaust systems, and annual renewal if generating 15 percent or more gross income from tobacco sales and humidor rentals.

What it would do: Amends the tobacco and vapor products tax to cap the tax on cigars at $0.50 per cigar instead of the current 30 percent of wholesale price, and clarifies tax payment responsibilities for wholesalers and distributors.

What it would do: Increases from one to three percent the amount of cigarette and tobacco products tax revenues directed to the Department of Health for evidence-based tobacco control programs, effective for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2018 and after.

What it would do: Expands the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to prohibit smoking and electronic smoking devices at outdoor public places including race tracks, sporting event facilities, recreational facilities, amusement parks, state and municipal parks, forests, beaches, boardwalks, marinas, historic sites, and burial sites.

What it would do: Requires tobacco product retailers, except cigar shops, to stock and offer for retail sale at least one FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy product, display it behind the counter, and post information about the NJ Smoking Quitline, with 14 days to restock after selling out.

What it would do: Amends the smoking ban to exempt racetracks and off-track wagering facilities from the indoor smoking prohibition in controlled specified areas for cigar nights or similar events, limited to no more than five times per year per facility.

What it would do: Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances allowing new cigar lounges to operate and be exempt from smoke-free air act requirements if they meet specified conditions including no food or alcohol sales, distinct public entrance, appropriate exhaust systems, and generate 15% or more annual gross income from tobacco sales and humidor rentals.

What it would do: Limits the tobacco and vapor products tax on cigars to a maximum of $0.50 per cigar, replacing the current 30 percent wholesale price tax. Clarifies tax payment responsibilities for wholesalers and distributors.

What it would do: Amends the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to prohibit smoking within 20 feet from the exterior of any building that is an indoor public place or workplace, and reaffirms the prohibition of smoking in any area of public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school buildings and grounds.

What it would do: Increases the presumed cost of doing business by a retailer selling cigarettes from 8 percent to 16 percent of the basic cost of cigarettes, thereby raising the presumed mark-up margin retailers must apply to cigarette sales.

What it would do: Requires the Attorney General or Commissioner of Health to inspect retail cigarette and vapor product dealers at least twice annually, with follow-up inspections within three months of violations. Authorizes seizure of non-compliant products and directs penalties to municipal treasuries.

What it would do: Prohibits retailers from selling flavored cigarettes, non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches with characterizing flavors other than tobacco, and establishes civil penalties of $250 to $1,000 plus potential license suspension for violations.