HIGDON CELEBRATES SENATE 

APPROVAL OF SENATE BILL 100

Measure to hold retailers accountable for youth vape sales  moves to the state House of Representatives

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 26, 2025)—The following is a statement from bill sponsor Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, upon Senate approval of Senate Bill (SB) 100, which strengthens enforcement against underage vape sales.

“This bill has real teeth and finally provides a way to hold bad actors in the retail sector accountable for illegally selling vaping products to Kentucky’s youth. I appreciate my colleagues’ support in advancing this important measure, and I’m hopeful the House will take it up and show all these young advocates that we support their efforts to curb youth vaping. Strong enforcement with real penalties—that’s how we make a meaningful impact and prevent access to vapes and nicotine.”

___

ABOUT SB 100
SB 100 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 compliance inspections. The bill imposes escalating fines and license revocation for repeated violations, prohibits distributors from supplying revoked retailers, and directs a portion of collected fines to youth vaping prevention efforts. The Senate voted to adopt language adding greater restrictions on wholesalers and retailers to include 

  • Kentucky licensed resident wholesalers will no longer be able to sell vapor products to retailers unless the retailer has a safe harbor certificate for the vapor products purchased,

  • greater fines and penalties for selling unauthorized tobacco, nicotine or vapor products to any persons, and

  • prohibits retailers from selling, distributing, or giving away any product containing nitrous oxide to anyone, especially those under the age of 21.  Includes fines and penalties for violators.

The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives for further 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.