North Carolina Prohibits Selling Tobacco and Vape Products Within 1,000 Feet of Schools

Original title: Prohibit Vape/Tobacco Shops Near Schools.

Last action · April 8, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Allen Buansi and 28 others

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What This Bill Would Do

North Carolina prohibits any person, firm, or corporation from selling or purchasing tobacco products, , or within 1,000 feet of a public or nonpublic school property line, effective December 1, 2025.

Why it matters

Retailers located near schools face criminal misdemeanor charges for selling restricted goods unless their tobacco sales are merely incidental to an established business.

Who It Would Affect

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

Directly affected

Retail businesses selling tobacco or vapor products

Retailers located within 1,000 feet of a school property line face criminal penalties for selling restricted products unless sales are incidental to their primary business.

Directly affected

Public and nonpublic schools

Schools serve as the anchor point for the new 1,000-foot buffer zone prohibiting nearby tobacco and vapor product sales.

Key Facts

It is unlawful to sell or purchase tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products within 1,000 feet of any public or nonpublic school property line or inside any structure within that zone.
Homeschools and institutions of higher education are excluded from the definition of a school under this section.
Sales or purchases are exempt if they are incidental to the primary operations of an established business facility.
A violation of this section is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Show all 5 facts

The act becomes effective on December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What products are covered under the sales ban?

The bill covers tobacco products, , and as defined in G.S. 14-313.

Are all schools included in the 1,000-foot restriction?

Public and nonpublic schools are included, but homeschools and institutions of higher education are specifically excluded.

What happens if a business violates the distance requirement?

A violation of this section is a .

Are there any exceptions for businesses located near schools?

Yes, sales are permitted if they are incidental to the primary operations of an established business facility.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 8, 2025House
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Apr 8, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Apr 3, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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