South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024

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H. 4817

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. West and G.M. Smith
Companion/Similar bill(s): 904
Document Path: LC-0188AHB24.docx

Introduced in the House on January 10, 2024
Introduced in the Senate on March 13, 2024
Passed by the General Assembly on May 9, 2024

Summary: Tobacco products, sale or purchase by minors

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1/10/2024  House   Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 37)
   1/10/2024  House   Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and 
                        Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 37)
   2/28/2024  House   Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military, Public 
                        and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 12)
    3/1/2024          Scrivener's error corrected
    3/6/2024  House   Read second time (House Journal-page 54)
    3/6/2024  House   Roll call Yeas-87  Nays-21 (House Journal-page 54)
    3/7/2024  House   Debate adjourned until Mon., 3-11-24 
                        (House Journal-page 24)
   3/13/2024  House   Read third time and sent to Senate 
                        (House Journal-page 12)
   3/13/2024  Senate  Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5)
   3/13/2024  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary 
                        (Senate Journal-page 5)
   4/23/2024  Senate  Referred to Subcommittee: Hutto (ch), Adams,  Garrett, 
                        Gustafson
    5/1/2024  Senate  Committee report: Favorable Judiciary 
                        (Senate Journal-page 13)
    5/8/2024  Senate  Read second time (Senate Journal-page 148)
    5/8/2024  Senate  Roll call Ayes-44  Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 148)
    5/9/2024  Senate  Read third time and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 131)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/10/2024
2/28/2024
3/1/2024
5/1/2024


NOTE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY VERSION. THIS DOCUMENT WILL REMAIN IN THIS VERSION UNTIL FINAL APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(R222, H4817)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-17-500, RELATING TO THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS WITHOUT PROOF OF AGE AND THE LOCATION OF VENDING MACHINES, SO AS TO INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS AND TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO PURCHASE TOBACCO PRODUCTS OR ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS TO PRESENT PROOF OF AGE UPON DEMAND, AND TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS FROM VENDING MACHINES IN CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Alternative nicotine products, proof of age, vending machines

SECTION 1.    Section 16-17-500(B) and (D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

(B) It is unlawful to sell a tobacco product or an alternative nicotine product to an individual who does not present upon demand proper proof of age. Failure to demand identification to verify an individual's age is not a defense to an action initiated pursuant to this subsection. Proof that is demanded, is shown, and reasonably is relied upon for the individual's proof of age is a defense to an action initiated pursuant to this subsection.

(D) It is unlawful to sell a tobacco product or an alternative nicotine product through a vending machine unless the vending machine is located in an establishment:

(1) which is open only to individuals who are eighteen years of age or older; or

(2) where the vending machine is under continuous control by the owner or licensee of the premises, or an employee of the owner or licensee, can be operated only by activation by the owner, licensee, or employee before each purchase, and is not accessible to the public when the establishment is closed.

Time effective

SECTION 2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 15th day of May, 2024.

______________________________________________________________________

President of the Senate

_____________________________________________________________________

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Approved the _____________ day of _________________________________________2024.

____________________________________________________________________

Governor

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This web page was last updated on May 15, 2024 at 11:37 PM