SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL TO COMBAT UNDERAGE VAPING

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 18, 2025)—On Tuesday, the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee approved Sen. Jimmy Higdon’s Senate Bill (SB) 100, as amended by a Senate Committee Substitute. The legislation would hold retailers accountable for underage vaping sales and strengthen enforcement efforts statewide.

The bill requires all tobacco and vape retailers to obtain a state license through the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and grants ABC enforcement authority, including unannounced inspections and the power to revoke licenses.

KEY PROVISIONS

Strict Penalties for Violations

  • first offense: $100 fine for the sales clerk, written notice to the store owner.

  • second offense: $100 fine for the clerk, $500 fine for the owner.

  • third offense: $100 fine for the clerk, $1,000 fine for the owner.

  • fourth offense: License revocation with a two-year ban on reapplying.

  • retailers cannot renew their licenses until all fines are paid.

Funding for Prevention

  • Fifty percent of collected fines will support youth vaping prevention and cessation programs.

  • All licensing and application fees will go to ABC for enforcement efforts.

Restrictions on Distributors

  • Wholesalers cannot supply products to retailers with revoked licenses.

Consequences for Underage Possession

  • Individuals under 21 caught with vaping products may be required to attend a tobacco cessation program or perform community service.

SB 100 builds on 2024’s House Bill 11 by ensuring retailers face real consequences for illegal sales and closing enforcement loopholes. The bill is a product of student and stakeholder advocacy. 

SB 100 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

 ###

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, represents the 14th Senate District, including LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington Counties. Higdon serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, overseeing efforts to craft biennial road plans, advance Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure, and improve public safety. He also serves as Senate co-chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board, focusing on stabilizing and strengthening Kentucky’s pension systems through reform and surplus investment. Additionally, Higdon is a member of the Senate Committees on Education; Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Licensing and Occupations. During the 2024 interim, he served as a Kentucky Housing Task Force member.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate114.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Higdon. 

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more.

Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel. 

Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.

Follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Visit KYSenateRepublicans.com for information on caucus members and to view press releases from our office.