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A 425NEW JERSEYSession 222State Billpassed chamber
Passed

New Jersey bill A425 triples fines for illegal tobacco and vape sales to minors

Original title: Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products.

Last action · October 29, 2026: Passed by the Assembly (67-6-5)Sponsors: Venezia, Michael and 13 others

Companion · S 4033same policy, Senate version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Legislation increases civil penalties for retailers who sell tobacco or s to individuals under 21 to $750 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense, and $3,000 for subsequent offenses. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Why it matters

Retailers face substantially higher financial penalties and potential license suspension or revocation for selling tobacco or nicotine items to underage buyers, with a portion of collected fines redirected to state youth education initiatives.

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 dealers

Retailers face increased financial penalties, mandatory warning sign postings, compliance reporting requirements, and potential license suspension or revocation for selling tobacco and vapor products to underage buyers.

Directly affected

Persons under 21 years of age

Minors are prohibited from purchasing tobacco and vapor products, and educational programs funded by recovered penalties will target them with information on the dangers of these products.

Directly affected

Department of Health

The department receives 5 percent of recovered civil penalties to fund educational programs and outreach initiatives regarding vapor products.

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

What are the new fine amounts for selling tobacco or vapor products to minors?
Fines are increased to $750 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second violation, and $3,000 for a third and subsequent violation.
How can individuals report illegal sales of tobacco to minors under this bill?
The Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury is required to establish a mechanism by which individuals may anonymously report violations.
What items are included in the expanded definition of tobacco and vapor products?
The definition includes any product containing or derived from tobacco or nicotine intended for consumption, s, components, parts, accessories, filters, rolling papers, blunt or hemp wraps, hookahs, and pipes.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Oct 29, 2026HouseFloor
    Passed by the Assembly (67-6-5)
  2. Oct 22, 2026House
    Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
  3. May 11, 2026HouseCommittee
    Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
  4. Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee

Version history

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

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Venezia, MichaelPrimary sponsorNo profile match
Tennille McCoyAssemblyDemocraticPrimary sponsor
Sterley StanleyAssemblyDemocraticPrimary sponsor
Verlina Reynolds-JacksonAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Cleopatra TuckerAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Show 9 more sponsors
Sampson, William B., IVCosponsorNo profile match
Bailey, David, Jr.CosponsorNo profile match
Carmen Theresa MoralesCosponsor
Alixon Collazos-GillAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Shanique SpeightAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Linda CarterAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Donlon, Margie, M.D.CosponsorNo profile match
Roy FreimanAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor
Katie BrennanAssemblyDemocraticCosponsor

Connected Entities

Division of Taxation, Food and Drug Administration, Department of the Treasury and 2 more
OrganizationDivision of Taxation“establishes reporting processes for retail compliance and anonymous violation re”Map →
OrganizationFood and Drug Administration“approves drugs, devices, or combination products exempt from the definition of t”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of the Treasury“parent department for the Division of Taxation”Map →
OrganizationNew Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission“issues driver's licenses and identification cards used for age verification”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Health“receives 5 percent of recovered penalties to fund educational programs and outre”Map →

Sources

Open source document

njleg.state.nj.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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