Lawmakers Split on Vape Retail Licensing; Wholesaler Bill Moves Ahead
South Dakota lawmakers are divided on vape regulation, with a wholesaler licensing bill advancing while a retail licensing proposal stalled in committee.Summary
Two bills concerning nicotine regulation progressed in the South Dakota House on Tuesday. House Bill 1220, which requires licensing for wholesalers and distributors of nicotine products, including vapes and pouch products like Zyn, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee with a vote of 11-2. The bill increases the licensing fee to $1,000 and mandates a public list of license holders. However, House Bill 1240, proposed by the vape industry to license retailers, faced a deadlock, failing both a do-pass and kill motion by a 6-7 margin. Opponents, including health groups and retailers, deemed HB 1240 costly and premature, while supporters argued it would aid adult smokers in quitting. Stakeholders cautioned that pursuing both bills could hinder negotiations, with opponents advocating for focusing on the wholesaler licensing bill (HB 1220) as a more viable solution.
(Source：kotaradio.com)
