South Carolina House Passes Bill Restricting Local Tobacco Laws

Earlier today, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a law that would restrict local governments from enforcing stricter tobacco laws including the banning of flavored tobacco products or requiring specific tobacco retailer licenses.

The bill now moves to the South Carolina Senate.

H. 3681 would preempt local governments from enacting new restrictions regarding “ingredients, flavors, or licensing” for the sale of cigarettes, other tobacco products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products. This would mean that cities and counties within the state would have no authority to ban flavored cigars; rather, the state would need to ban flavored cigars.

The bill passed today by a vote of 80-23.