Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21.

Highlights:

• Requires individuals be at least 21 years of age or older in order to legally buy or use tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any individual who buys tobacco, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products to a minor under the age of 21 shall be guilty of a first degree misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Defines “alternative nicotine product” as a product, not consisting of or containing tobacco, that provides for ingestion into the body of nicotine, whether by chewing, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, snorting, or sniffing (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that alternative nicotine products do not include a tobacco product, vapor product, or other product regulated as a drug or device by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that tobacco products do not include an alternative nicotine product, vapor product, or product regulated as a drug or device by the FDA (Sec. 1),

• Defines “vapor products” as a noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating element, a power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form, including (Sec. 1):

• Electronic cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos; and

• Electronic pipes or similar products or devices that utilize vapor cartridges.  

• Establishes that an individual will have committed a summary offense if they use tobacco, an alternative nicotine product, or vapor product in any of the following locations, including (Sec. 1):

• In a school building;

• On a school bus or other vehicle owned or leased by the school district; or

• On school property owned, leased, or under the control of the school district.

• Requires the board of school directors to notify employees, pupils and parents of the policy changed developed in the above mentioned sections by publishing the information in a student handbook and parent newsletter and or on posters (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the board of school directors to designate certain areas on school property no less than 50 feet from the school building, stadium, or bleachers as designated areas where tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products may be used (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this act shall take effect 60 days after being signed into law (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21.

Highlights:

• Requires individuals be at least 21 years of age or older in order to legally buy or use tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any individual who buys tobacco, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products to a minor under the age of 21 shall be guilty of a first degree misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Defines “alternative nicotine product” as a product, not consisting of or containing tobacco, that provides for ingestion into the body of nicotine, whether by chewing, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, snorting, or sniffing (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that alternative nicotine products do not include a tobacco product, vapor product, or other product regulated as a drug or device by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that tobacco products do not include an alternative nicotine product, vapor product, or product regulated as a drug or device by the FDA (Sec. 1),

• Defines “vapor products” as a noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating element, a power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form, including (Sec. 1):

• Electronic cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos; and

• Electronic pipes or similar products or devices that utilize vapor cartridges.  

• Establishes that an individual will have committed a summary offense if they use tobacco, an alternative nicotine product, or vapor product in any of the following locations, including (Sec. 1):

• In a school building;

• On a school bus or other vehicle owned or leased by the school district; or

• On school property owned, leased, or under the control of the school district.

• Requires the board of school directors to notify employees, pupils and parents of the policy changed developed in the above mentioned sections by publishing the information in a student handbook and parent newsletter and or on posters (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the board of school directors to designate certain areas on school property no less than 50 feet from the school building, stadium, or bleachers as designated areas where tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products may be used (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this act shall take effect 60 days after being signed into law (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text