Senate proposal would raise fines, target sellers for flavored nicotine and high-strength products, interns report

Cabot Sales, an intern reporting to the Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, summarized Senate Committee discussion of S.198 on Jan. 16.

Sales said the bill would increase tax stamps on nicotine products containing more than 5 milligrams of nicotine and would prioritize penalties against sellers rather than penalizing youth caught with the products. "They're trying to address that by increasing tax stamps on nicotine products that have over 5 milligrams of nicotine in them, and also increasing the penalty for unlicensed sellers for first and second offense," Sales said.

Sales reported the Senate discussion included internet sales enforcement and cited proposed fine increases for unlicensed sellers: from $200 to $2,000 for a first offense and from $500 to $5,000 for a second offense. The transcript records those specific figures as the Senate's proposed penalties; the transcript does not record a final vote or amendment text in committee.

The committee did not take formal action on S.198 during the briefing; committee members asked follow-up questions and requested the internompile more detailed bill language and notes on internet-sales enforcement.