Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1180 Latest Draft

Bill / Engrossed Version Filed 04/08/2024

                             
 
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. 
        [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. 
         Underlining indicates amendments to bill. 
         Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by 
amendment. 
          *hb1180*  
  
HOUSE BILL 1180 
C2, E1, J2   	4lr2630 
    	CF SB 1056 
By: Delegate Wilson 
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2024 
Assigned to: Economic Matters 
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments 
House action: Adopted 
Read second time: March 27, 2024 
 
CHAPTER ______ 
 
AN ACT concerning 1 
 
Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices – 2 
Revisions  3 
(Tobacco Retail Modernization Act of 2024) 4 
 
FOR the purpose of prohibiting licensees that sell cigarettes, other tobacco products, or 5 
electronic smoking devices at retail from displaying cigarettes, other tobacco 6 
products, or electronic smoking devices for sale unless located behind a counter; 7 
requiring certain licensed retailers to verify an individual’s date of birth before 8 
selling cigarettes, other tobacco products, or electronic smoking devices in a certain 9 
manner; altering the application fee for a county license to sell cigarettes or tobacco 10 
products at retail; repealing certain exceptions that authorize the sale, distribution, 11 
or purchase of tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia, and electronic smoking 12 
devices to or for individuals under a certain age who are active duty military 13 
members; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to conduct at least two 14 
certain unannounced inspections of certain licensed retailers each year; repealing 15 
the electronic smoking device retail license; altering the definition of “vape shop 16 
vendor” to require that the vendor exclusively sell electronic smoking devices and 17 
related accessories to consumers on the premises of its place of business; requiring 18 
certain licensees to obtain an additional license in order to manufacture, distribute, 19 
or sell electronic smoking devices; altering the penalty for distributing tobacco 20 
products or tobacco paraphernalia to an individual under a certain age; authorizing 21 
the court to make certain recommendations to the Executive Director of the Alcohol, 22 
Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission regarding the suspension of certain licenses; 23 
prohibiting a pharmacy from selling tobacco products, other tobacco products, and 24 
electronic smoking devices; requiring the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis 25  2 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
Commission, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Health, the 1 
Comptroller, and the State Department of Education, to submit a certain report on 2 
or before a certain date; and generally relating to the sale of cigarettes, other tobacco 3 
products, and electronic smoking devices. 4 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 5 
 Article – Business Regulation 6 
Section 16–201(a), (d), and (k) and, 16.5–101(a), (f), (j), and (l), 16.7–203, 16.7–206, 7 
and 16.7–211 8 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 9 
 (2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 10 
 
BY adding to 11 
 Article – Business Regulation 12 
Section 16–209.1, 16.5–214.2, and 16.7–204.2 13 
Annotated Code of Maryland 14 
 (2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 15 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16 
 Article – Business Regulation 17 
Section 16–302, 16–308.3, 16.5–217.1, 16.7–101, 16.7–102, 16.7–201, 16.7–202,  18 
16.7–203, 16.7–204, 16.7–204.1, 16.7–206, 16.7–211, and 16.7–213.1 19 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 20 
 (2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 21 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22 
 Article – Criminal Law 23 
Section 10–107 24 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 25 
 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 26 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 27 
 Article – Health – General 28 
 Section 24–305 and 24–307 29 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 30 
 (2023 Replacement Volume)  31 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 32 
 Article – Health Occupations 33 
Section 12–403(c)(22) and (23) 34 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 35 
 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 36 
 
BY adding to 37 
 Article – Health Occupations 38 
Section 12–403(c)(24) 39 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 40   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	3 
 
 
 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 1 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 3 
 
Article – Business Regulation 4 
 
16–201. 5 
 
 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 6 
 
 (d) “Licensed retailer” means a person licensed by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of 7 
this subtitle to act as a retailer. 8 
 
 (k) “Retailer” means a person who: 9 
 
 (1) sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on fewer than 10 
40 premises; 11 
 
 (2) otherwise sells cigarettes to consumers; or 12 
 
 (3) holds cigarettes for sale to consumers. 13 
 
16–209.1. 14 
 
 (A) A LICENSED RETAILER MA Y NOT DISPLAY CIGARE TTES FOR SALE 15 
UNLESS THE CIGARETTE S ARE LOCATED BEHIND A COUNTER IN AN AREA 16 
ACCESSIBLE ONLY TO T HE LICENSED RETAILER AND EMPLOYEES OF THE LICENSED 17 
RETAILER. 18 
 
 (B) (1) A LICENSED RETAILER MA Y NOT SELL CIGARETTE S TO AN 19 
INDIVIDUAL UNLESS TH E LICENSED RETAILER VERIFIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 20 
PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 21 
 
 (I) AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD; OR 22 
 
 (II) 1. AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD; AND 23 
 
 2. AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE MILITARY IN 24 
POSSESSION OF A VALI D MILITARY IDENTIFIC ATION. 25 
 
 (2) A SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A LICENSED 26 
RETAILER MAY VERIFY AN INDIVIDUAL’S AGE ONLY: 27 
 
 (I) BY MEANS OF A GOVERN	MENT–ISSUED PHOTO 28 
IDENTIFICATION CONTA INING THE INDIVIDUAL ’S DATE OF BIRTH; AND 29  4 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 (II) IN A DIRECT FACE –TO–FACE EXCHANGE WITHOU T THE 1 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY EL ECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL DEVICE . 2 
 
 (3) A LICENSED RETAILER IS NOT REQUIRED TO VERI FY THE AGE OF 3 
AN INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 30 YEARS OLD.  4 
 
16–302. 5 
 
 (a) For each county license, an applicant shall: 6 
 
 (1) submit an application to the clerk; and 7 
 
 (2) pay to the clerk a license fee of[: 8 
 
 (i) $25 in a county other than Cecil County or Montgomery County; 9 
 
 (ii) $50 in Cecil County; or 10 
 
 (iii) $125 in Montgomery County] $300. 11 
 
 (b) (1) From each license fee collected under subsection (a) of this section, the 12 
[Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County] CLERK shall distribute: 13 
 
 (i) $25 to the Executive Director; and 14 
 
 (ii) $100 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, $275 to [Montgomery 15 
County] THE COUNTY to be used to enforce existing laws banning the sale or distribution 16 
of tobacco or, tobacco products, OR ELECTRONIC SMOKIN G DEVICES, AS DEFINED IN § 17 
16.7–101 OF THIS ARTICLE, to individuals under the age of 21 years; AND 18 
 
 (III) IN ALL OTHER COUNTIE S, $275 TO THE MARYLAND 19 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR ITS DES IGNEE TO 20 
ENFORCE EXISTING LAW S PROHIBITING THE SA LE OR DISTRIBUTION O F TOBACCO, 21 
TOBACCO PRODUCTS , OR ELECTRONIC SMOKIN G DEVICES, AS DEFINED IN §  22 
16.7–101 OF THIS ARTICLE, TO INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS. 23 
 
 (2) Funds distributed under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not be 24 
used to supplant existing funding for the enforcement of laws banning the sale or 25 
distribution of tobacco or tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21 years. 26 
 
16–308.3. 27 
 
 (a) (1) The SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 28 
Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE [may] SHALL conduct AT LEAST TWO 29   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	5 
 
 
ONE unannounced inspections INSPECTION of a licensed retailer to ensure the licensee’s 1 
compliance with the provisions of this title and § 10–107 of the Criminal Law Article EACH 2 
YEAR. 3 
 
 (2) IF A LICENSED RETAILE R VIOLATES ANY PROVI SION OF THIS 4 
TITLE OR § 10–107 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT 5 
OF HEALTH SHALL CONDUCT AN ADDITIONAL UNANNO UNCED INSPECTION WIT HIN 6 
180 DAYS AFTER THE INITI AL INSPECTION.  7 
 
 (b) The Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE may use an 8 
individual under the age of 21 years to assist in conducting an inspection under this section. 9 
 
 (C) TO DETERMINE THE LOCA TION OF A LICENSED R ETAILER SUBJECT TO 10 
AN UNANNOUNCED INSPE CTION, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR ITS 11 
DESIGNEE SHALL USE THE LIST OF LICE NSED RETAILERS AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF 12 
THE PREVIOUS CALENDA R YEAR.  13 
 
16.5–101. 14 
 
 (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 15 
 
 (f) “Licensed other tobacco products retailer” means a person licensed by the 16 
clerk under § 16.5–204(b) of this title to act as an other tobacco products retailer. 17 
 
 (j) (1) “Other tobacco products” means, except as provided in paragraph (3) of 18 
this subsection, a product that is: 19 
 
 (i) intended for human consumption or likely to be consumed, 20 
whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, or ingested in any other 21 
manner, and that is made of or derived from, or that contains: 22 
 
 1. tobacco; or 23 
 
 2. nicotine; or 24 
 
 (ii) a component or part used in a consumable product described 25 
under item (i) of this paragraph. 26 
 
 (2) “Other tobacco products” includes: 27 
 
 (i) cigars, premium cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and 28 
snus; and 29 
 
 (ii) filters, rolling papers, pipes, and hookahs. 30 
 
 (3) “Other tobacco products” does not include: 31  6 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 (i) cigarettes; 1 
 
 (ii) electronic smoking devices; 2 
 
 (iii) drugs, devices, or combination products authorized for sale by 3 
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; 4 
or 5 
 
 (iv) tobacco pipes, as defined under § 11–104 of the Tax – General 6 
Article. 7 
 
 (l) “Other tobacco products retailer” means a person who: 8 
 
 (1) sells other tobacco products to consumers; or 9 
 
 (2) holds other tobacco products for sale to consumers. 10 
 
16.5–214.2. 11 
 
 (A) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO: 12 
 
 (I) A LICENSED TOBACCONI ST; OR 13 
 
 (II) THE SALE OF PREMIUM CIGARS. 14 
 
 (2) A LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER MAY NOT 15 
DISPLAY OTHER TOBACC O PRODUCTS FOR SALE UNLESS THE OTHER TOB ACCO 16 
PRODUCTS ARE LOCATED BEHIND A COUNTER IN AN AREA AC CESSIBLE ONLY TO THE 17 
LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER AND EMPLOYEES OF THE 18 
LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER . 19 
 
 (B) (1) A LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER MAY NOT 20 
SELL CIGARETTES OTHER TOBACCO PRODUC TS TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNLESS TH E 21 
LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER VERIFIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 22 
PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 23 
 
 (I) AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD; OR 24 
 
 (II) 1. AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD; AND 25 
 
 2. AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE MILITARY IN 26 
POSSESSION OF A VALI D MILITARY IDENTIFIC ATION. 27 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	7 
 
 
 (2) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 1 
A LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER MAY VERIFY AN INDIVI DUAL’S 2 
AGE ONLY: 3 
 
 (I) BY MEANS OF A GOVERN	MENT–ISSUED PHOTO 4 
IDENTIFICATION CONTA INING THE INDIVIDUAL ’S DATE OF BIRTH; AND 5 
 
 (II) IN A DIRECT FACE –TO–FACE EXCHANGE WITHOU T THE 6 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY EL ECTRONIC OR MECHANIC AL DEVICE. 7 
 
 (3) A LICENSED OTHER TOBAC CO PRODUCTS RETAILER IS NOT 8 
REQUIRED TO VERIFY T HE AGE OF AN INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 30 YEARS OLD.  9 
 
16.5–217.1. 10 
 
 (a) (1) The SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 11 
Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE [may] SHALL conduct AT LEAST TWO 12 
ONE unannounced inspections INSPECTION of a licensed retailer to ensure the licensee’s 13 
compliance with the provisions of this title and § 10–107 of the Criminal Law Article EACH 14 
YEAR. 15 
 
 (2) IF A LICENSED RETAILE R VIOLATES ANY PROVI SION OF THIS 16 
TITLE OR § 10–107 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT 17 
OF HEALTH SHALL CONDUCT AN ADDITIONAL UNANNO UNCED INSPECTION WIT HIN 18 
180 DAYS AFTER THE INITI AL INSPECTION.  19 
 
 (b) The Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE may use an 20 
individual under the age of 21 years to assist in conducting an inspection under this section. 21 
 
 (C) TO DETERMINE THE LOCA TION OF A LICENSED R ETAILER SUBJECT TO 22 
AN UNANNOUNCED INSPE CTION, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR ITS 23 
DESIGNEE SHALL USE T HE LIST OF LICENSED RETAILERS AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF 24 
THE PREVIOUS CA LENDAR YEAR .  25 
 
16.7–101. 26 
 
 (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 27 
 
 (b) “County license” means a license issued by the clerk to sell electronic smoking 28 
devices to consumers in a county. 29 
 
 (c) (1) “Electronic smoking device” means a device that can be used to deliver 30 
aerosolized or vaporized nicotine to an individual inhaling from the device. 31 
 
 (2) “Electronic smoking device” includes: 32  8 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 (i) an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigar, an electronic cigarillo, 1 
an electronic pipe, an electronic hookah, a vape pen, and vaping liquid; and 2 
 
 (ii) except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, any 3 
component, part, or accessory of such a device regardless of whether or not it is sold 4 
separately, including any substance intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during use of 5 
the device. 6 
 
 (3) “Electronic smoking device” does not include: 7 
 
 (i) a drug, device, or combination product authorized for sale by the 8 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; or 9 
 
 (ii) a battery or battery charger when sold separately. 10 
 
 (d) “Electronic smoking devices manufacturer” means a person that: 11 
 
 (1) manufactures, mixes, or otherwise produces electronic smoking devices 12 
intended for sale in the State, including electronic smoking devices intended for sale in the 13 
United States through an importer; and 14 
 
 (2) (i) [sells electronic smoking devices to a consumer, if the consumer 15 
purchases or orders the devices through the mail, a computer network, a telephonic 16 
network, or another electronic network, a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler 17 
distributor, or a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer in the State; 18 
 
 (ii)] if the electronic smoking devices manufacturer also holds a 19 
license to act as [an electronic smoking devices retailer or] a vape shop vendor, sells 20 
electronic smoking devices IN THE SAME MANNER A S A VAPE SHOP VENDOR to 21 
consumers located in the State; or 22 
 
 [(iii)] (II) unless otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, 23 
this article, or the Criminal Law Article, distributes sample electronic smoking devices to 24 
a licensed [electronic smoking devices retailer or] vape shop vendor. 25 
 
 [(e) “Electronic smoking devices retailer” means a person that: 26 
 
 (1) sells electronic smoking devices to consumers; 27 
 
 (2) holds electronic smoking devices for sale to consumers; or 28 
 
 (3) unless otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, 29 
the Criminal Law Article, or § 24–305 of the Health – General Article, distributes sample 30 
electronic smoking devices to consumers in the State.] 31 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	9 
 
 
 [(f)] (E) “Electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor” means a person 1 
that: 2 
 
 (1) obtains at least 70% of its electronic smoking devices from a holder of 3 
an electronic smoking devices manufacturer license under this subtitle or a business entity 4 
located in the United States; and 5 
 
 (2) (i) holds electronic smoking devices for sale to another person for 6 
resale; or 7 
 
 (ii) sells electronic smoking devices to another person for resale. 8 
 
 [(g)] (F) “Electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer” means a person that: 9 
 
 (1) obtains at least 70% of its electronic smoking devices from a business 10 
entity located in a foreign country; and 11 
 
 (2) (i) holds electronic smoking devices for sale to another person for 12 
resale; or 13 
 
 (ii) sells electronic smoking devices to another person for resale. 14 
 
 [(h)] (G) “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Alcohol [and], 15 
Tobacco, AND CANNABIS Commission. 16 
 
 [(i)] (H) “License” means: 17 
 
 (1) a license issued by the Executive Director under § 16.7–203(a) of this 18 
title to: 19 
 
 (i) act as a licensed electronic smoking devices manufacturer; 20 
 
 (ii) act as a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler 21 
distributor; or 22 
 
 (iii) act as a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer; 23 
or 24 
 
 (2) a license issued by the clerk under § 16.7–203(b) of this title to[: 25 
 
 (i) act as a licensed electronic smoking devices retailer; or 26 
 
 (ii)] act as a licensed vape shop vendor. 27 
 
 [(j)] (I) “Sell” means to exchange or transfer, or to agree to exchange or 28 
transfer, title or possession of property, in any manner or by any means, for consideration. 29  10 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 [(k)] (J) “Vape shop vendor” means an electronic smoking devices business that 1 
[derives at least 70% of its revenues, measured by average daily receipts, from the sale of] 2 
EXCLUSIVELY SELLS electronic smoking devices and related accessories TO CONSUMERS 3 
ON THE PREMISES OF I TS PLACE OF BUSINESS . 4 
 
 [(l)] (K) “Vaping liquid” means a liquid that: 5 
 
 (1) consists of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or other similar 6 
substance; 7 
 
 (2) may or may not contain natural or artificial flavors; 8 
 
 (3) may or may not contain nicotine; and 9 
 
 (4) converts to vapor intended for inhalation when heated in an electronic 10 
device. 11 
 
16.7–102. 12 
 
 (a) The Executive Director may delegate any power or duty of the Executive 13 
Director under this title. 14 
 
 (b) Any person licensed under Title 16 or Title 16.5 of this article, or an affiliate, 15 
as defined under § 16–402(c) of this article, of a person licensed under Title 16 of this 16 
article[: 17 
 
 (1) is authorized to manufacture, distribute, or sell electronic smoking 18 
devices pursuant to this title in the same capacity as the person is licensed under Title 16 19 
or Title 16.5 of this article; and 20 
 
 (2) may not be required to] MUST obtain an additional license under this 21 
title IN ORDER TO MANUFACT URE, DISTRIBUTE, OR SELL ELECTRONIC S MOKING 22 
DEVICES PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE. 23 
 
16.7–201. 24 
 
 [(a)] A person must hold an appropriate license before the person may act as: 25 
 
 (1) an electronic smoking devices manufacturer; 26 
 
 (2) [an electronic smoking devices retailer; 27 
 
 (3)] an electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor; 28 
 
 [(4)] (3) an electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer; or 29   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	11 
 
 
 
 [(5)] (4) a vape shop vendor. 1 
 
 [(b) A place of business in which a person acts as an electronic smoking devices 2 
retailer or a vape shop vendor must hold an appropriate license.] 3 
 
16.7–202. 4 
 
 (a) (1) An applicant for a license to act as an electronic smoking devices 5 
manufacturer, electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor, or electronic smoking 6 
devices wholesaler importer shall: 7 
 
 (i) obtain an appropriate county license by submitting an 8 
application to the Executive Director on the form and containing the information that the 9 
Executive Director requires; 10 
 
 (ii) indicate the licenses for which the applicant is applying; and 11 
 
 (iii) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, pay to the 12 
Executive Director a fee of $25 for each license for which the applicant applies. 13 
 
 (2) An applicant for a license to act as an electronic smoking devices 14 
wholesaler distributor or electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer shall pay to the 15 
Executive Director a fee of $150. 16 
 
 (b) (1) An applicant for a license to act as [an electronic smoking devices 17 
retailer or] a vape shop vendor: 18 
 
 (i) shall obtain a county license by submitting to the clerk an 19 
application for each permanent or temporary place of business located in the same 20 
enclosure and operated by the same applicant; and 21 
 
 (ii) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall pay 22 
to the clerk a fee of $25 $300. 23 
 
 (2) The application shall: 24 
 
 (i) be made on the form that the clerk requires; and 25 
 
 (ii) contain the information that the Executive Director requires. 26 
 
 (3) (I) FROM EACH LICENSE FEE COLLECTED UNDER THIS 27 
SUBSECTION, THE CLERK SHALL DISTRIBUTE : 28 
 
 1. $25 TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; AND 29 
  12 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 2. $275 TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 1 
TO BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR ITS DES IGNEE TO ENFORCE EXI STING LAWS 2 
PROHIBITING THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF T OBACCO, TOBACCO PRODUCTS , OR 3 
ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVI CES, AS DEFINED IN § 16.7–101 OF THIS ARTICLE , TO 4 
INDIVIDUALS UNDER TH E AGE OF 21 YEARS. 5 
 
 (II) FUNDS DISTRIBUTED UND ER THIS SUBSECTION M AY NOT BE 6 
USED TO SUPPLANT EXI STING FUNDING FOR TH E ENFORCEMENT OF LAW S BANNING 7 
THE SALE OR DISTR IBUTION OF TOBACCO , TOBACCO PRODUCTS , OR ELECTRONIC 8 
SMOKING DEVICES TO I NDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS.  9 
 
 (c) A licensee shall display a license in the way that the Executive Director 10 
requires by regulation. 11 
 
 (d) If a person has had a license revoked under § 16.7–207 of this subtitle, the 12 
person may not reapply for a license within 1 year after the date when the prior license was 13 
revoked. 14 
 
16.7–203. 15 
 
 (a) The Executive Director shall issue an appropriate license to each applicant 16 
that meets the requirements of this subtitle for a license to act as an electronic smoking 17 
devices manufacturer, electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor, or electronic 18 
smoking devices wholesaler importer. 19 
 
 (b) The clerk shall issue to each applicant that meets the requirements of this 20 
subtitle a license to act as [an electronic smoking devices retailer or] a vape shop vendor. 21 
 
 (c) The clerk shall forward a copy of an application received for each license 22 
issued under subsection (b) of this section to the Executive Director within 30 days after 23 
issuance of the license. 24 
 
16.7–204. 25 
 
 (a) An electronic smoking devices manufacturer license authorizes the licensee 26 
to: 27 
 
 (1) sell electronic smoking devices to: 28 
 
 (i) a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler located in the 29 
State; 30 
 
 (ii) an electronic smoking devices wholesaler or retailer located 31 
outside the State if the electronic smoking devices may be sold lawfully in Maryland; 32 
 
 (iii) a licensed vape shop vendor[; and 33   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	13 
 
 
 
 (iv) a consumer if: 1 
 
 1. the licensee manufactured the devices; and 2 
 
 2. the consumer purchases or orders the devices through the 3 
mail, a computer network, a telephonic network, or another electronic network]; 4 
 
 (2) if the electronic smoking devices manufacturer licensee also holds a 5 
license to act as [an electronic smoking devices retailer or] a vape shop vendor, transfer 6 
electronic smoking devices to inventory for sale under the [retail license or] vape shop 7 
license; and 8 
 
 (3) except as otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, 9 
or the Criminal Law Article, distribute electronic smoking devices products to a licensed 10 
[electronic smoking devices retailer or] vape shop vendor. 11 
 
 [(b) An electronic smoking devices retailer license authorizes the licensee to: 12 
 
 (1) sell electronic smoking devices to consumers; 13 
 
 (2) buy electronic smoking devices from an electronic smoking devices 14 
wholesaler distributor or electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer; 15 
 
 (3) if the electronic smoking devices retailer licensee also holds a license to 16 
act as an electronic smoking devices manufacturer, sell at retail electronic smoking devices 17 
manufactured under the manufacturer license; and 18 
 
 (4) except as otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, 19 
the Criminal Law Article, or § 24–305 of the Health – General Article, distribute sample 20 
electronic smoking devices products to consumers in the State.] 21 
 
 [(c)] (B) An electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor license or 22 
electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer license authorizes the licensee to: 23 
 
 (1) sell electronic smoking devices to [electronic smoking devices retailers 24 
and] vape shop vendors; 25 
 
 (2) buy electronic smoking devices directly from an electronic smoking 26 
devices manufacturer and an electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor or 27 
electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer; 28 
 
 (3) hold electronic smoking devices; and 29 
 
 (4) sell electronic smoking devices to another licensed electronic smoking 30 
devices wholesaler distributor or electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer. 31  14 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 [(d)] (C) A vape shop vendor license authorizes the licensee to: 1 
 
 (1) sell electronic smoking devices as a vape shop vendor TO CONSUMERS 2 
ON THE PREMISES OF T HE LICENSEE’S PLACE OF BUSINESS ; 3 
 
 (2) if the vape shop vendor licensee also holds a license to act as an 4 
electronic smoking devices manufacturer, sell at retail ON THE VAPE SHOP VEN DOR 5 
PREMISES electronic smoking devices manufactured under the manufacturer license; and 6 
 
 (3) buy electronic smoking devices from an electronic smoking devices 7 
manufacturer, an electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor, or an electronic 8 
smoking devices wholesaler importer. 9 
 
16.7–204.1. 10 
 
 (a) (1) A [retail licensee] OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR shall post a sign in a 11 
location that is clearly visible to the consumer that states: 12 
 
 “No person under the age of 21 may be sold tobacco products without military 13 
identification”. 14 
 
 [(b)] (2) The sign required under PARAGRAPH (1) OF this [section] 15 
SUBSECTION shall be written in letters at least one–half inch high. 16 
 
 (B) (1) A RETAIL LICENSEE OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR MAY NOT SELL 17 
CIGARETTES ELECTRONIC SMOKING D EVICES TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNL ESS THE 18 
RETAIL LICENSEE OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR VER IFIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 19 
PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 20 
 
 (I) AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD; OR 21 
 
 (II) 1. AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD; AND 22 
 
 2. AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE MILITARY IN 23 
POSSESSION OF A VALI D MILITARY IDENTIFIC ATION. 24 
 
 (2) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 25 
A LICENSED RETAILER OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR MAY VERIFY AN INDIVIDUAL ’S AGE 26 
ONLY: 27 
 
 (I) BY MEANS OF A GOVERN	MENT–ISSUED PHOTO 28 
IDENTIFICATION CONTA INING THE INDIVIDUAL ’S DATE OF BIRTH; AND 29 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	15 
 
 
 (II) IN A DIRECT FACE –TO–FACE EXCHANGE WITHOUT THE 1 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY EL ECTRONIC OR MECHANIC AL DEVICE. 2 
 
 (3) A LICENSED RETAILER OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR IS NOT REQUIRED 3 
TO VERIFY THE AGE OF AN INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 30 YEARS OLD.  4 
 
16.7–204.2. 5 
 
 A RETAILER OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR MAY NOT DISPLAY ELECTRON IC SMOKING 6 
DEVICES FOR SALE UNL ESS THE ELECTRONIC S MOKING DEVICES ARE L OCATED 7 
BEHIND A COUNTER IN AN AREA ACCESSIBLE O NLY TO THE RETAILER OR VAPE SHOP 8 
VENDOR AND EMPLOYEES OF THE RETAILER OR VAPE SHOP VENDOR . 9 
 
16.7–206. 10 
 
 (a) (1) A [licensed electronic smoking devices retailer or a] licensed vape shop 11 
vendor may not assign the license. 12 
 
 (2) If a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor or 13 
electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer sells the licensee’s electronic smoking 14 
devices business and pays to the Executive Director a license assignment fee of $10, the 15 
licensee may assign the license to the buyer of the business if the buyer otherwise qualifies 16 
under this title for an electronic smoking devices wholesaler’s distributor or importer 17 
license. 18 
 
 (b) If the electronic smoking devices business of a licensee is transferred because 19 
of bankruptcy, death, incompetency, receivership, or otherwise by operation of law, the 20 
Executive Director shall transfer the license without charge to the new owner of the 21 
licensee’s business if the transferee otherwise qualifies under this title for the license being 22 
transferred. 23 
 
 (c) (1) If a licensed electronic smoking devices wholesaler distributor or 24 
electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer surrenders the license to the Executive 25 
Director and if no disciplinary proceedings are pending against the licensee, the Executive 26 
Director shall refund a pro rata portion of the license fee for the unexpired term of the 27 
license. 28 
 
 (2) A [licensed electronic smoking devices retailer or a] licensed vape shop 29 
vendor is not allowed a refund for the unexpired term of the license. 30 
 
16.7–211. 31 
 
 (a) A person may not act, attempt to act, or offer to act as an electronic smoking 32 
devices manufacturer, [an electronic smoking devices retailer,] an electronic smoking 33 
devices wholesaler distributor, an electronic smoking devices wholesaler importer, or a 34 
vape shop vendor in the State unless the person has an appropriate license. 35  16 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 (b) (1) A person that violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on 1 
conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days 2 
or both. 3 
 
 (2) Each day that a violation of this section continues is a separate offense. 4 
 
16.7–213.1. 5 
 
 (a) (1) The SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 6 
Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE [may] SHALL conduct AT LEAST TWO 7 
ONE unannounced inspections INSPECTION of licensed [retailers] OR VAPE SHOP 8 
VENDORS to ensure the licensee’s compliance with the provisions of this title and § 10–107 9 
of the Criminal Law Article EACH YEAR. 10 
 
 (2) IF A LICENSED RETAILE R OR VAPE SHOP VENDO R VIOLATES ANY 11 
PROVISION OF THIS TI TLE OR § 10–107 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, THE 12 
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL CONDUCT AN ADDITIONAL 13 
UNANNOUNCED INSPECTI ON WITHIN 180 DAYS AFTER THE INITI AL INSPECTION.  14 
 
 (b) The Maryland Department of Health OR ITS DESIGNEE may use an 15 
individual under the age of 21 years to assist in conducting an inspection under this section. 16 
 
 (C) TO DETERMINE THE LOCA TION OF A LICENSED R ETAILER OR VAPE SHOP 17 
VENDOR SUBJECT TO AN UNANNOUNCED INSPECTI ON, THE MARYLAND 18 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR ITS DESIGNE E SHALL USE THE LIST OF LICENSED 19 
RETAILERS OR VAPE SH OP VENDO RS AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF THE PREVIOUS 20 
CALENDAR YEAR .  21 
 
Article – Criminal Law 22 
 
10–107. 23 
 
 (a) This section does not apply to the distribution of a coupon that is redeemable 24 
for a tobacco product, if the coupon is: 25 
 
 (1) contained in a newspaper, magazine, or other type of publication in 26 
which the coupon is incidental to the primary purpose of the publication; or 27 
 
 (2) sent through the mail. 28 
 
 (b) (1) This subsection does not apply to the distribution of a tobacco product 29 
or tobacco paraphernalia to: 30 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	17 
 
 
 (i) an individual under the age of 21 years who is acting solely as 1 
the agent of the individual’s employer if the employer distributes tobacco products or 2 
tobacco paraphernalia for commercial purposes; or 3 
 
 (ii) a purchaser or recipient who: 4 
 
 1. is at least 18 years of age; 5 
 
 2. is an active duty member of the military; and 6 
 
 3. presents a valid military identification. 7 
 
 (2) A person who distributes tobacco products for commercial purposes, 8 
including a person licensed under Title 16, Title 16.5, Title 16.7, or Title 16.9 of the 9 
Business Regulation Article, PERSONALLY OR THROUG H AN EMPLOYEE , may not 10 
distribute to an individual under the age of 21 years: 11 
 
 (i) a tobacco product; 12 
 
 (ii) tobacco paraphernalia; or 13 
 
 (iii) a coupon redeemable for a tobacco product. 14 
 
 (c) A person not described in subsection (b)(2) of this section may not: 15 
 
 (1) purchase for or sell a tobacco product to an individual under the age of 16 
21 years, unless the individual: 17 
 
 (i) is at least 18 years of age; 18 
 
 (ii) is an active duty member of the military; and 19 
 
 (iii) presents a valid military identification; or 20 
 
 (2) distribute tobacco paraphernalia to an individual under the age of 21 21 
years, unless the individual: 22 
 
 (i) is at least 18 years of age; 23 
 
 (ii) is an active duty member of the military; and 24 
 
 (iii) presents a valid military identification. 25 
 
 (d) In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is a defense that the defendant 26 
examined, IN A DIRECT, FACE–TO–FACE EXCHANGE , the purchaser’s or recipient’s 27 
driver’s license or other valid identification issued by a government unit that positively 28  18 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
identified the purchaser or recipient as at least 21 years of age or as at least 18 years of age 1 
and an active duty member of the military. 2 
 
 (e) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on 3 
conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding: 4 
 
 (i) [$300] $500 for a first violation; 5 
 
 (ii) $1,000 for a second violation occurring within 2 years after the 6 
first violation; and 7 
 
 (iii) $3,000 for each subsequent violation occurring within 2 years 8 
after the preceding violation. 9 
 
 (2) IN ADDITION TO THE PE NALTIES UNDER PARAGRA PH (1) OF THIS 10 
SUBSECTION, IF A PERSON HOLDS A LICENSE UNDER TITLE 16, TITLE 16.5, TITLE 11 
16.7, OR TITLE 16.9 OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE, THE COURT SHALL 12 
ORDER THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND CANNABIS 13 
COMMISSION TO: 14 
 
 (I) SUSPEND THE LICENSE FOR: 15 
 
 1. A SECOND VIOLATION , NOT MORE THAN 90 DAYS; AND 16 
 
 2. EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOL ATION, NOT MORE THAN 180 17 
DAYS; AND 18 
 
 (II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, REVOKE THE LICENSE . 19 
 
 (3) FOR A DETERMINATION M ADE BY A COURT UNDER PARAGRAP H 20 
(2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE CLERK OF THE COU RT SHALL SEND A COPY OF THE 21 
FINAL ORDER ISSUED B Y THE COURT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 22 
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND CANNABIS COMMISSION.  23 
 
 [(2)] (3) (4) Issuance of a civil citation for the sale of a tobacco product to an 24 
individual under the age of 21 years precludes a prosecution for a violation of § 24–307 of 25 
the Health – General Article arising out of the same violation. 26 
 
 (f) For purposes of this section, each separate incident at a different time and 27 
occasion is a violation. 28 
 
Article – Health – General 29 
 
24–305.  30 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	19 
 
 
 (a) This section does not apply to a tobacco product that is regulated under Title 1 
16 of the Business Regulation Article. 2 
 
 (b) (1) [Except] SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND 3 
EXCEPT as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not [sell]: 4 
 
 (I) SELL, distribute, or offer for sale to an individual under the age 5 
of 21 years an electronic smoking device, as defined in § 16.7–101(c) of the Business 6 
Regulation Article;  7 
 
 (II) DISPLAY ELECTRONIC SM OKING DEVICES , AS DEFINED IN § 8 
16.7–101(C) OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE, FOR SALE UNLESS THE 9 
ELECTRONIC SMOKING D EVICES ARE LOCATED B EHIND A COUNTER IN A N AREA 10 
ACCESSIBLE ONLY TO T HE PERSON AND EMPLOYEES OF THE PERSON; OR 11 
 
 (III) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS 12 
SUBSECTION, SELL ELECTRONIC SMOK ING DEVICES, AS DEFINED IN § 16.7–101(C) 13 
OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE, UNLESS THE PERSON VE RIFIES THAT THE 14 
INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEA ST 21 YEARS OLD. 15 
 
 (2) This subsection does not apply to[: 16 
 
 (i) An] AN electronic smoking device that contains or delivers 17 
nicotine intended for human consumption if the device has been approved by the United 18 
States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and is being 19 
marketed and sold solely for this purpose[; or 20 
 
 (ii) A purchaser or recipient who: 21 
 
 1. Is at least 18 years of age; 22 
 
 2. Is an active duty member of the military; and 23 
 
 3. Presents a valid military identification]. 24 
 
 (3) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A PERSON 25 
MAY VERIFY AN INDIVI DUAL’S AGE ONLY: 26 
 
 (I) BY MEANS OF A GOVERNM	ENT–ISSUED PHOTO 27 
IDENTIFICATION CONTA INING THE INDIVIDUAL ’S DATE OF BIRTH; AND 28 
 
 (II) IN A DIRECT FACE –TO–FACE EXCHANGE INCLUDING T HE 29 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY EL ECTRONIC OR MECHANIC AL DEVICE. 30 
  20 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 (4) A PERSON IS NOT REQUIR ED TO VERIFY THE AGE OF AN 1 
INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 30 YEARS OLD. 2 
 
 (c) (1) A person that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty not 3 
exceeding: 4 
 
 (i) $300 for a first violation; 5 
 
 (ii) $1,000 for a second violation occurring within 24 months after 6 
the first violation; and 7 
 
 (iii) $3,000 for each subsequent violation occurring within 24 months 8 
after the preceding violation. 9 
 
 (2) Issuance of a civil citation for a violation of this section precludes 10 
prosecution under § 10–107 of the Criminal Law Article arising out of the same violation. 11 
 
 (3) If a violation is committed by a person acting on behalf of a retailer, the 12 
civil penalty imposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be paid by the retailer. 13 
 
 (d) In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is a defense that the defendant 14 
examined the purchaser’s or recipient’s driver’s license or other valid identification issued 15 
by a government unit that positively identified the purchaser or recipient as at least 21 16 
years of age [or as at least 18 years of age and an active duty member of the military]. 17 
 
 (e) (1) In this subsection, “designee” means a retired sworn law enforcement 18 
officer employed by THE DEPARTMENT OR a county health officer or an employee of THE 19 
DEPARTMENT OR a local health department trained in civil enforcement. 20 
 
 (2) [A] THE SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, A sworn law 21 
enforcement officer, a county health officer, or a designee of a county health officer may 22 
issue a civil citation for a violation of this section. 23 
 
 (3) A citation issued under this section shall include: 24 
 
 (i) The name and address of the person charged; 25 
 
 (ii) The nature of the violation; 26 
 
 (iii) The location and time of the violation; 27 
 
 (iv) The amount of the civil penalty; 28 
 
 (v) The manner, location, and time in which the civil penalty may be 29 
paid; 30 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	21 
 
 
 (vi) A notice stating the person’s right to elect to stand trial for the 1 
violation; and 2 
 
 (vii) A warning that failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest 3 
liability in a timely manner in accordance with the citation: 4 
 
 1. Is an admission of liability; and 5 
 
 2. May result in entry of a default judgment that may include 6 
the civil penalty, court costs, and administrative expenses. 7 
 
 (4) The [sworn law enforcement officer] SECRETARY, SECRETARY’S 8 
DESIGNEE, county health officer, or COUNTY HEALTH OFFICE R’S designee shall retain a 9 
copy of the citation issued under this section. 10 
 
 (5) (i) 1. A person who receives a citation from THE SECRETARY, 11 
THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, a county health officer, or A COUNTY HEALTH OFFI CER’S 12 
designee under this section may elect to stand trial for the violation by filing a notice of 13 
intention to stand trial with the county health officer or designee at least 5 days before the 14 
date set in the citation for the payment of the civil penalty. 15 
 
 2. After receiving a notice of intention to stand trial under 16 
subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph, the SECRETARY, SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, 17 
county health officer, or COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S designee shall forward the notice 18 
and a copy of the citation to the District Court. 19 
 
 (ii) A person who receives a citation from a sworn law enforcement 20 
officer under this section may elect to stand trial for the violation by filing a notice of 21 
intention to stand trial and a copy of the citation with the District Court at least 5 days 22 
before the date set in the citation for payment of the civil penalty. 23 
 
 (6) (i) After receiving a citation and notice under this section, the 24 
District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the defendant of the trial date. 25 
 
 (ii) In a proceeding before the District Court, a violation of this 26 
section shall be prosecuted in the same manner and to the same extent as a municipal 27 
infraction under §§ 6–108 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article. 28 
 
 (7) The District Court shall remit any penalties collected for a violation of 29 
this section to the county in which the violation occurred. 30 
 
 (8) Adjudication of a violation of this section is not a criminal conviction for 31 
any purpose. 32 
 
24–307. 33 
  22 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 (a) (1) This section does not apply to the distribution of a coupon that is 1 
redeemable for a tobacco product if the coupon is: 2 
 
 (i) Contained in a newspaper, a magazine, or any other type of 3 
publication in which the coupon is incidental to the primary purpose of the publication; or 4 
 
 (ii) Sent through the mail. 5 
 
 (2) This section does not apply to the distribution of a tobacco product or 6 
tobacco paraphernalia to[: 7 
 
 (i) An] AN individual under the age of 21 years who is acting solely 8 
as the agent of the individual’s employer if the employer distributes tobacco products or 9 
tobacco paraphernalia for commercial purposes[; or 10 
 
 (ii) A purchaser or recipient who: 11 
 
 1. Is at least 18 years of age; 12 
 
 2. Is an active duty member of the military; and 13 
 
 3. Presents a valid military identification]. 14 
 
 (b) (1) A person who distributes tobacco products for commercial purposes, 15 
including a person licensed under Title 16, Title 16.5, Title 16.7, or Title 16.9 of the 16 
Business Regulation Article, may not [distribute]: 17 
 
 (I) DISTRIBUTE to an individual under the age of 21 years: 18 
 
 [(1)]  1. A tobacco product; 19 
 
 [(2)]  2. Tobacco paraphernalia; or 20 
 
 [(3)]  3. A coupon redeemable for a tobacco product; OR 21 
 
 (II) DISPLAY TOBACCO PRODU CTS FOR SALE UNLESS THE 22 
TOBACCO PRODUCTS ARE LOCATED BEHIND A COU NTER IN AN AREA ACCE SSIBLE 23 
ONLY TO THE PERSON A ND EMPLOYEES OF THE PERSON; OR 24 
 
 (III) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS 25 
SUBSECTION, SELL TOBACCO PRODUCT S UNLESS THE PERSON VERIFI ES THAT THE 26 
INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEA ST 21 YEARS OLD. 27 
 
 (3) A PERSON WHO DISTRIBUT ES TOBACCO PRODUCTS MAY VERIFY 28 
AN INDIVIDUAL’S AGE ONLY: 29   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	23 
 
 
 
 (I) BY MEANS OF A GOVERNM	ENT–ISSUED PHOTO 1 
IDENTIFICATION CONTA INING THE INDIVIDUAL ’S DATE OF BIRTH; AND 2 
 
 (II) IN A DIRECT FACE –TO–FACE EXCHANGE INCLUD ING THE 3 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY EL ECTRONIC OR MECHANIC AL DEVICE. 4 
 
 (4) A PERSON WHO DISTRIBUT ES TOBACCO PRODUCTS IS NOT 5 
REQUIRED TO VERIFY T HE AGE OF AN INDIVID UAL AT LEAST 30 YEARS OLD. 6 
 
 (c) (1) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is subject to a civil 7 
penalty not exceeding: 8 
 
 (i) $300 for a first violation; 9 
 
 (ii) $1,000 for a second violation occurring within 24 months after 10 
the first violation; and 11 
 
 (iii) $3,000 for each subsequent violation occurring within 24 months 12 
after the preceding violation. 13 
 
 (2) The local health departments shall report violations of subsection (b) of 14 
this section to the Executive Director of the Alcohol [and], Tobacco, AND CANNABIS 15 
Commission. 16 
 
 (3) Issuance of a civil citation for a violation of this section precludes 17 
prosecution under § 10–107 of the Criminal Law Article arising out of the same violation. 18 
 
 (4) If a violation is committed by a person acting on behalf of a retailer, the 19 
civil penalty imposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be paid by the retailer. 20 
 
 (d) In a prosecution for a violation of subsection (b) of this section, it is a defense 21 
that the defendant examined the purchaser’s or recipient’s driver’s license or other valid 22 
identification issued by a governmental unit that positively identified the purchaser or 23 
recipient as at least 21 years old [or as at least 18 years of age and an active duty member 24 
of the military]. 25 
 
 (e) (1) In this subsection, “designee” means a retired sworn law enforcement 26 
officer employed by THE SECRETARY OR a county health officer or an employee of a local 27 
health department trained in civil enforcement. 28 
 
 (2) [A] THE SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, A sworn law 29 
enforcement officer, a county health officer, or a designee of a county health officer may 30 
issue a civil citation for a violation of subsection (b) of this section. 31 
 
 (3) A citation issued under this subsection shall include: 32  24 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
 
 (i) The name and address of the person charged; 1 
 
 (ii) The nature of the violation; 2 
 
 (iii) The location and time of the violation; 3 
 
 (iv) The amount of the civil penalty; 4 
 
 (v) The manner, location, and time in which the civil penalty may be 5 
paid; 6 
 
 (vi) A notice stating the person’s right to elect to stand trial for the 7 
violation; and 8 
 
 (vii) A warning that failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest 9 
liability in a timely manner in accordance with the citation: 10 
 
 1. Is an admission of liability; and 11 
 
 2. May result in entry of a default judgment that may include 12 
the civil penalty, court costs, and administrative expenses. 13 
 
 (4) The SECRETARY, SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, county health officer, or 14 
designee shall retain a copy of the citation issued under this subsection. 15 
 
 (5) (i) A person who receives a citation from THE SECRETARY, THE 16 
SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, a county health officer, or designee under this subsection may 17 
elect to stand trial for the violation by filing a notice of intention to stand trial with the 18 
county health officer or designee at least 5 days before the date set in the citation for the 19 
payment of the civil penalty. 20 
 
 (ii) After receiving a notice of intention to stand trial under 21 
subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the county health officer or designee shall forward the 22 
notice and a copy of the citation to the District Court. 23 
 
 (6) (i) After receiving a citation and notice under this subsection, the 24 
District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the defendant of the trial date. 25 
 
 (ii) In a proceeding before the District Court, a violation of 26 
subsection (b) of this section shall be handled in the same manner as a municipal infraction 27 
under §§ 6–108 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article. 28 
 
 (7) The District Court shall remit any penalties collected for a violation of 29 
subsection (b) of this section to the county in which the violation occurred. 30 
   	HOUSE BILL 1180 	25 
 
 
 (8) Adjudication of a violation of subsection (b) of this section is not a 1 
criminal conviction for any purpose. 2 
 
 (f) (1) The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration and consultation 3 
with [the Office of the Comptroller,] the Executive Director of the Alcohol [and], Tobacco, 4 
AND CANNABIS Commission, local health departments, and local law enforcement 5 
agencies, shall develop ongoing strategies for enforcement of §§ 10–107 and 10–108 of the 6 
Criminal Law Article. 7 
 
 (2) On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall report to the 8 
General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: 9 
 
 (i) The development of enforcement strategies required under 10 
paragraph (1) of this subsection; and 11 
 
 (ii) Training and assistance to tobacco retailers to improve 12 
compliance with § 10–107 of the Criminal Law Article.  13 
 
Article – Health Occupations 14 
 
12–403. 15 
 
 (c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a pharmacy for which a 16 
pharmacy permit has been issued under this title: 17 
 
 (22) (i) May provide to an ophthalmologist for office use, without a 18 
patient–specific prescription: 19 
 
 1. Compound antibiotics for the emergency treatment of 20 
bacterial endophthalmitis or viral retinitis; and 21 
 
 2. Compound antivascular endothelial growth factor agents 22 
for the emergency treatment of neovascular glaucoma, wet macular degeneration, or 23 
macular edema; and 24 
 
 (ii) Shall require the ophthalmologist to inform the pharmacy of the 25 
identity of any patient to whom the drugs are administered; [and] 26 
 
 (23) Subject to § 12–510 of this title, may provide compounded nonsterile 27 
preparations or compounded sterile preparations without a patient–specific prescription to 28 
a licensed veterinarian who intends to dispense the compounded nonsterile preparations 29 
or compounded sterile preparations in accordance with § 2–313(c) of the Agriculture Article; 30 
AND 31 
 
 (24) MAY NOT SELL TOBACCO PRODUCT S, OTHER TOBACCO 32 
PRODUCTS, AS DEFINED IN § 16.5–101 OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE, OR 33  26 	HOUSE BILL 1180  
 
 
ELECTRONIC SMOKING D EVICES, AS DEFINED IN § 16.7–101 OF THE BUSINESS 1 
REGULATION ARTICLE. 2 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or befo re December 31, 3 
2024 October 1, 2025, the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission, in conjunction with 4 
the Maryland Department of Health, the Comptroller, and the State Department of 5 
Education, shall report to the Senate Finance Committee, the House Economic Matters 6 
Committee, and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance 7 
with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: 8 
 
 (1) the number of retailers of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and 9 
electronic smoking devices licensed under Title 16, Title 16.5, or Title 16.7 of the Business 10 
Regulation Article, including information regarding the proximity of retailers to schools 11 
and health care facilities; 12 
 
 (2) the processes and procedures currently used by the Alcohol, Tobacco, 13 
and Cannabis Commission to maintain a list of all operating businesses that hold a license 14 
under Title 16, Title 16.5, or Title 16.7 of the Business Regulation Article; 15 
 
 (3) the geographic density of businesses currently holding a license under 16 
Title 16, Title 16.5, or Title 16.7 of the Business Regulation Article; 17 
 
 (4) the feasibility and resulting impact of limiting or establishing a 18 
maximum number of licenses that could be issued under Title 16, Title 16.5, or Title 16.7 19 
of the Business Regulation Article; and 20 
 
 (5) with regard to the use of tobacco, other tobacco products, and electric 21 
smoking devices, including the use of flavored tobacco products, by individuals under the 22 
age of 21 years in the State, an analysis of: 23 
 
 (i) its prevalence in the described population; 24 
 
 (ii) the public health impacts; and 25 
 
 (iii) the economic impacts. 26 
 
 SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 27 
October 1, 2024.  28