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HB 425NORTH CAROLINASession 2025State Billin committee

High Impact

North Carolina House Bill 425 Raises Tobacco Sale Age to 21 and Requires Retail Permits

Original title: Protect Youth From Harms of Vaping & Nicotine.

Last action · March 19, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Donnie Loftis and 31 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 425 establishes a mandatory tobacco retail sales permit system administered by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, raises the legal purchase age for tobacco and nicotine products to 21, and repeals the older statute governing minors and tobacco.

Why it matters

Retailers must pay an annual $400 permit fee per location starting March 1, 2026, and face administrative fines up to $5,000 for non-compliance, while individuals under 21 who purchase tobacco products face infractions requiring completion of a free tobacco education program.

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

Tobacco retail dealers

Retail dealers must apply for and maintain an annual $400 permit, train employees on age verification, and comply with strict merchandising and inspection rules.

Directly affected

Minors under 21 years of age

Individuals under 21 are legally prohibited from purchasing tobacco products and face infractions or misdemeanor charges for fake identification or illegal purchases.

Directly affected

Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission

The Commission is tasked with issuing permits, conducting background checks, promulgating rules, and enforcing compliance across tobacco retail premises.

Directly affected

Alcohol Law Enforcement Division

Agents are authorized to inspect licensed premises, investigate violations, and enforce tobacco retail sales laws alongside the Commission.

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 needs a tobacco retail sales permit under this bill?

Any retail dealer, delivery seller, or remote seller selling tobacco products to consumers in North Carolina must obtain a permit from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

How much does a tobacco retail sales permit cost?

The application and annual renewal fee is $400.00 for retail, delivery, and remote seller permits.

What happens if a person under 21 is caught purchasing tobacco products?

The individual commits an infraction and may be required by the court to complete a free, 60-minute tobacco education program, without being assessed fines or court costs.

Are self-service displays allowed for tobacco products?

Permittees are prohibited from selling tobacco products through displays accessible to the public without employee assistance, unless the establishment is open only to persons 21 years of age and older.

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

Mar 19, 2025House
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Mar 19, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Mar 17, 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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