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HB 4629WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill Exempts Higher Education Medical Research from Tobacco Sales Restrictions for Young Adults

Original title: Relating to medical cessation treatment and research

Last action · February 4, 2026: To Health and Human ResourcesSponsors: J.B. Akers and 6 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia allows individuals aged 18 to 21 to receive tobacco products when participating in sanctioned, medically supervised cessation research conducted by an institution of higher education. The measure maintains general age restrictions and fines for unlawful tobacco sales while creating specific exemptions for approved scientific studies.

Why it matters

Higher education institutions conducting tobacco research gain a specific legal exemption from restrictions prohibiting the distribution of tobacco products to individuals under 21, altering compliance requirements for authorized academic studies.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Institutions of higher education

Higher education institutions gain the legal authority to conduct sanctioned medical research and cessation studies involving the distribution of tobacco products to individuals aged 18 to 21.

Directly affected

Individuals between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one

Young adults in this age bracket are permitted to receive tobacco products when participating in approved academic research and cessation programs.

Directly affected

Retail outlets and employers

Employers retain the ability to dismiss employees for cause upon written notice if staff violate underage tobacco sales restrictions.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive tobacco products under the research exemption?

Individuals between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one participating in a sanctioned medically supervised program by an institution of higher education are eligible.

What requirements must the research meet to qualify for the exemption?

The research must be conducted by an institution of higher education for medical research to further cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation, and it must be approved by a properly accredited .

What penalties apply to retail employees who violate tobacco sales laws?

Non-management employees or agents are subject to non-criminal, non-monetary penalties such as education classes, diversion programs, and community service, and employers may dismiss them for cause if prior written notice was provided.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the House · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

18 actions

Feb 4, 2026SenateCommittee
To Health and Human Resources
Feb 4, 2026SenateCommittee
To Health and Human Resources
Feb 4, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2026House
Communicated to Senate
Feb 3, 2026House
Effective from passage (Roll No. 39)
Feb 3, 2026HouseFloor
Passed House (Roll No. 38)

Show 12 earlier actions

Feb 3, 2026House
Read 3rd time
Feb 3, 2026House
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
Feb 2, 2026House
Read 2nd time
Feb 2, 2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
Jan 30, 2026House
Read 1st time
Jan 30, 2026House
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
Jan 29, 2026House
Do pass
Jan 27, 2026House
Markup Discussion
Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To Health and Human Resources
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To Health and Human Resources
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

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