Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that increases the legal age to buy tobacco to 21.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine to any person under 21 years old (Sec 1).

• Requires vendors of tobacco and nicotine products to request from buyers a photographic identification that establishes that the individual is 21 years or older (Sec 1).

• Specifies that home rule municipalities, counties, or cities can enact ordinances or resolutions more stringent than the ones outlined in this bill (Sec 1).

• Specifies that home rule municipalities, counties, or cities cannot enact ordinances or resolutions that establish a minimum age to purchase cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products that are lower than 21 years old (Sec 1).

• Prohibits the entry of any person under 21 years old into a cigar-tobacco establishment (Sec 2).

• Requires all cigar-tobacco establishments to display signage in at least one conspicuous place stating: “Smoking allowed. Persons under 21 years of age may not enter” (Sec 2).

• Specifies that a fine for violation of the previous sections will not be imposed on a retailer than can prove that prior to the date of the violation, the retailer (Sec 3):

• Adopted a written policy against allowing people under 21 to enter the establishment; and

• Enformed their employees of the applicable laws regarding the prohibition against people under 21 years old from entering areas where smoking is permitted.

• Prohibits retailers from allowing a person under 18 years old to sell cigarettes, tobacco, or nicotine products (Sec 7).

• Requires the Department of Revenue to maintain and publish on the division public website business names and addresses of state-licensed retailers that sell cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products (Sec 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that increases the legal age to buy tobacco to 21.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine to any person under 21 years old (Sec 1).

• Requires vendors of tobacco and nicotine products to request from buyers a photographic identification that establishes that the individual is 21 years or older (Sec 1).

• Specifies that home rule municipalities, counties, or cities can enact ordinances or resolutions more stringent than the ones outlined in this bill (Sec 1).

• Specifies that home rule municipalities, counties, or cities cannot enact ordinances or resolutions that establish a minimum age to purchase cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products that are lower than 21 years old (Sec 1).

• Prohibits the entry of any person under 21 years old into a cigar-tobacco establishment (Sec 2).

• Requires all cigar-tobacco establishments to display signage in at least one conspicuous place stating: “Smoking allowed. Persons under 21 years of age may not enter” (Sec 2).

• Specifies that a fine for violation of the previous sections will not be imposed on a retailer than can prove that prior to the date of the violation, the retailer (Sec 3):

• Adopted a written policy against allowing people under 21 to enter the establishment; and

• Enformed their employees of the applicable laws regarding the prohibition against people under 21 years old from entering areas where smoking is permitted.

• Prohibits retailers from allowing a person under 18 years old to sell cigarettes, tobacco, or nicotine products (Sec 7).

• Requires the Department of Revenue to maintain and publish on the division public website business names and addresses of state-licensed retailers that sell cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products (Sec 8).

Full Bill Text