North Carolina tobacco and nicotine laws

What it would do: Decriminalizes possession of 5 grams or less of marijuana as a Class 3 misdemeanor, increases penalties for manufacturing and selling marijuana, raises the age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21, increases excise taxes on vapor products and marijuana, and expands Alcohol Law Enforcement jurisdiction.

What it would do: Prohibits any person, firm, or corporation from selling or purchasing tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products within 1,000 feet of any public or nonpublic school building, with an exception for incidental sales at established businesses. Violations are Class 2 misdemeanors, effective December 1, 2025.

What it would do: Establishes a Tobacco Use Prevention Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services receiving $17,000,000 annually from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to fund youth tobacco prevention programs, media campaigns, military readiness initiatives, and evaluation of tobacco use prevention efforts.

What it would do: Raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21 years, expands vapor products licensing requirements, and increases funding for gambling addiction education and treatment programs from $2 million to $12 million annually through lottery tax revenues.

What it would do: Raises the legal sales age for tobacco products to 21 and requires retailers to obtain permits from the ABC Commission. Establishes permit requirements, age verification procedures, and penalties for violations including fines up to $1,000 and permit revocation.

What it would do: Allows tribal enrollment cards issued by state or federally recognized Indian tribes to be used as valid proof of age for alcohol and tobacco purchases in North Carolina, effective December 1, 2025.