Tobacco Amendments, the official text

Tobacco Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jefferson S. Burton
Senate Sponsor: Kirk A. Cullimore

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill enacts provisions relating to sales of cigars and pipe tobacco.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill: authorizes telephone, mail, internet, and other remote retail sales of a cigar or pipe tobacco;
provides for the licensing, bonding, and taxation of cigar and pipe tobacco transactions between a remote seller and a consumer in the state;
establishes a criminal penalty for failing to comply with the licensing, bonding, and tax collection requirements;
makes technical and conforming changes; and
includes a coordination clause to align license terms and fees with other tobacco licenses as provided in S.B. 210, Nicotine Amendments.

Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. This bill provides a coordination clause. Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS:
59-14-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 173
59-14-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 347
76-9-1107, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 173

ENACTS:
59-14-901, Utah Code Annotated 1953
59-14-902, Utah Code Annotated 1953
59-14-903, Utah Code Annotated 1953
59-14-904, Utah Code Annotated 1953
59-14-905, Utah Code Annotated 1953
59-14-906, Utah Code Annotated 1953

Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause: 59-14-903, Utah Code Annotated 1953

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 59-14-102 is amended to read:
59-14-102. Definitions.
As used in this chapter: (1) "Alternative nicotine product" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
(2) (a) "Cigar" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
(b) "Cigar" does not include a little cigar.

[(2)] (3) "Cigarette" means a roll made wholly or in part of tobacco: (a) regardless of: (i) the size of the roll;
(ii) the shape of the roll;
(iii) whether the tobacco is flavored, adulterated, or mixed with any other ingredient; or
(iv) whether the tobacco is heated or burned; and

(b) if the roll has a wrapper or cover that is made of paper or any other substance or material except tobacco.

[(3)] (4) "Cigarette rolling machine" means a device or machine that has the capability to produce at least 150 cigarettes in less than 30 minutes.
[(4)] (5) "Cigarette rolling machine operator" means a person [who] that: (a) (i) controls, leases, owns, possesses, or otherwise has available for use a cigarette rolling machine; and
(ii) makes the cigarette rolling machine available for use by another person to produce a cigarette; or

(b) offers for sale, at retail, a cigarette produced from the cigarette rolling machine.

[(5)] (6) "Consumer" means a person that is not required: (a) under Section 59-14-201 to obtain a license under Section 59-14-202;
(b) under Section 59-14-301 to obtain a license under Section 59-14-202;[or]
(c) to obtain a license under Section 59-14-803 [.]; or
(d) to obtain a license under Section 59-14-903.

[(6)] (7) "Counterfeit cigarette" means: (a) a cigarette that has a false manufacturing label; or
(b) a package of cigarettes bearing a counterfeit tax stamp.

[(7)] (8) (a) "Electronic cigarette" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
(b) "Electronic cigarette" does not include a cigarette or a tobacco product.

[(8)] (9) "Electronic cigarette product" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(9)] (10) "Electronic cigarette substance" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(10)] (11) "Importer" means a person that imports into the United States, either directly or indirectly, a finished cigarette for sale or distribution.
[(11)] (12) "Indian tribal entity" means a federally recognized Indian tribe, tribal entity, or any other person doing business as a distributor or retailer of cigarettes on tribal lands located in the state.
[(12)] (13) "Little cigar" means a roll for smoking that: (a) is made wholly or in part of tobacco;
(b) uses an integrated cellulose acetate filter or other similar filter; and
(c) is wrapped in a substance: (i) containing tobacco; and
(ii) that is not exclusively natural leaf tobacco.

[(13)] (14) (a) [Except as provided in Subsection (13)(b), "manufacturer"] "Manufacturer" means a person that: (i) manufactures, fabricates, assembles, processes, or labels a finished cigarette; or
(ii) makes, modifies, mixes, manufactures, fabricates, assembles, processes, labels, repackages, relabels, or imports an electronic cigarette product or a nicotine product.

(b) "Manufacturer" does not include a cigarette rolling machine operator.

[(14)] (15) "Moist snuff" means tobacco that: (a) is finely cut, ground, or powdered;
(b) has at least 45% moisture content, as determined by the commission by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
(c) is not intended to be: (i) smoked; or
(ii) placed in the nasal cavity; and

(d) except for single-use pouches of loose tobacco, is not packaged, produced, sold, or distributed in single-use units, including: (i) tablets;
(ii) lozenges;
(iii) strips;
(iv) sticks; or
(v) packages containing multiple single-use units.

[(15)] (16) "Nicotine" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(16)] (17) "Nicotine product" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(17)] (18) "Nontherapeutic nicotine device" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(18)] (19) "Nontherapeutic nicotine device substance" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(19)] (20) "Nontherapeutic nicotine product" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
(21) "Pipe tobacco" means loose leaf tobacco that: (a) is intended to be burned in a pipe; or
(b) because of the tobacco's appearance, type, packaging, or labeling, is suitable to be used, and likely to be offered or purchased for use, in a pipe.

[(20)] (22) "Prefilled electronic cigarette" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(21)] (23) "Prefilled nontherapeutic nicotine device" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-9-1101.
[(22)] (24) "Retailer" means a person that: (a) sells or distributes a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product to a consumer in the state; or
(b) intends to sell or distribute a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product to a consumer in the state.

[(23)] (25) "Stamp" means the indicia required to be placed on a cigarette package that evidences payment of the tax on cigarettes required by Section 59-14-205.
[(24)] (26) (a) "Tobacco product" means a product made of, or containing, tobacco.
(b) "Tobacco product" includes: (i) a cigarette produced from a cigarette rolling machine;
(ii) a little cigar; or
(iii) moist snuff.

(c) "Tobacco product" does not include a cigarette.

[(25)] (27) "Tribal lands" means land held by the United States in trust for a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Section 2. Section 59-14-302 is amended to read:
59-14-302. Tax basis -- Rates.
(1) As used in this section: (a) "Manufacturer's sales price" means the amount the manufacturer of a tobacco product charges after subtracting a discount.
(b) "Manufacturer's sales price" includes an original Utah destination freight charge, regardless of: (i) whether the tobacco product is shipped f.o.b. origin or f.o.b. destination; or
(ii) who pays the original Utah destination freight charge.

(2) [There] Except as provided in Section 59-14-904, there is levied a tax upon the sale, use, or storage of tobacco products in the state.
(3) (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), the tax levied under Subsection (2) shall be paid by the manufacturer, jobber, distributor, wholesaler, retailer, user, or consumer.
(b) The tax levied under Subsection (2) on a cigarette produced from a cigarette rolling machine shall be paid by the cigarette rolling machine operator.

(4) For tobacco products except for moist snuff, a little cigar, or a cigarette produced from a cigarette rolling machine, the amount of the tax under this section is.86 multiplied by the manufacturer's sales price.
(5) (a) Subject to Subsection (5)(b), the tax under this section on moist snuff is imposed: (i) at a rate of $1.83 per ounce; and
(ii) on the basis of the net weight of the moist snuff as listed by the manufacturer.

(b) If the net weight of moist snuff is in a quantity that is a fractional part of one ounce, a proportionate amount of the tax described in Subsection (5)(a) is imposed: (i) on that fractional part of one ounce; and
(ii) in accordance with rules made by the commission in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

(6) (a) A little cigar is taxed at the same tax rates as a cigarette is taxed under Subsection 59-14-204(2).
(b) (i) Subject to Subsection (6)(b)(ii), a cigarette produced from a cigarette rolling machine is taxed at the same tax rates as a cigarette is taxed under Subsection 59-14-204(2).
(ii) A tax under this Subsection (6)(b) is imposed on the date the cigarette is produced from the cigarette rolling machine.

(7) (a) Moisture content of a tobacco product is determined at the time of packaging.
(b) A manufacturer who distributes a tobacco product in, or into, Utah, shall: (i) for a period of three years after the last day on which the manufacturer distributes the tobacco product in, or into, Utah, keep valid scientific evidence of the moisture content of the tobacco product available for review by the commission, upon demand; and
(ii) provide a document, to the person described in Subsection (3) to whom the manufacturer distributes the tobacco product, that certifies the moisture content of the tobacco product, as verified by the scientific evidence described in Subsection (7)(b)(i).

(c) A manufacturer [who] that fails to comply with the requirements of Subsection (7)(b) is liable for the nonpayment or underpayment of taxes on the tobacco product by a person who relies, in good faith, on the document described in Subsection (7)(b)(ii).
(d) A person described in Subsection (3) who is required to pay tax on a tobacco product: (i) shall, for a period of three years after the last day on which the person pays the tax on the tobacco product, keep the document described in Subsection (7)(b)(ii) available for review by the commission, upon demand; and
(ii) is not liable for nonpayment or underpayment of taxes on the tobacco product due to the person's good faith reliance on the document described in Subsection (7)(b)(ii).

Section 3. Section 59-14-901 is enacted to read:
9. Remote Retail Sales of Cigar and Pipe Tobacco Licensing and Taxation Act 59-14-901. Definitions.
As used in this part: (1) "Actual cost" means the actual price paid by a retailer.
(2) "Actual cost list" means a list, prepared, maintained, and certified annually by each retailer, of the average of the actual cost of each item by stock-keeping unit of cigars and pipe tobacco over the 12 calendar months before January 1 of the year in which the remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco occurs.
(3) "Age verification system" means a service that: (a) is provided by an independent third party; and
(b) compares information available from a commercially available database, or an aggregate of available databases, that government agencies and businesses use regularly to verify the age and identity of the personal information a consumer provides during the ordering process.

(4) (a) "Remote retail sale" means the sale to a consumer if: (i) the retailer is not in the physical presence of the consumer when the request for the sale is made; and
(ii) (A) the retailer delivers the sold item to the consumer by common carrier, private delivery service, or other method of remote delivery; or
(B) the retailer is not in the physical presence of the consumer when the consumer obtains possession of the sold item.

(b) "Remote retail sale" does not include a sale by: (i) a regular dealer of tobacco products in another state to a licensed dealer in this state; or
(ii) a wholesaler or distributor in this state to a regular dealer of tobacco products in another state.

(5) "Remote seller" means a retailer that conducts a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.

Section 4. Section 59-14-902 is enacted to read:
59-14-902. Authorization for remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(1) A retailer may make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco in this state if the retailer: (a) subject to Section 59-14-903, complies with the licensing and bonding requirements of this part;
(b) subject to Subsection (3), collects and remits the sales and use taxes due under Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
(c) reports to the commission, on a quarterly basis after remote retail sales of cigars or pipe tobacco begin: (i) the number of remote retail sales of cigars or pipe tobacco; and
(ii) the gross sales amount;

(d) subject to Section 59-14-904, collects and remits the tax imposed by this part;
(e) complies with the age and access requirements for cigars or pipe tobacco described in Section 10-8-47 and Title 76, Chapter 9, Part 11, Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Psychotoxic Chemical Solvents;
(f) uses an age verification system; and
(g) requires an individual 21 years old or older to sign for delivery and to take possession of the cigar or pipe tobacco.

(2) A remote seller may not: (a) make a remote retail sale of any product containing nicotine or tobacco that is not a cigar or pipe tobacco; or
(b) make a face-to-face sale that would be permitted under: (i) Section 59-14-201 without a license described in Section 59-14-201;
(ii) Section 59-14-301 without a license described in Section 59-14-301; or
(iii) Section 59-14-803 without a license described in Section 59-14-803.

(3) A remote seller shall obtain a sales and use tax license and collect and remit the applicable sales and use tax in accordance with Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act, if the remote seller meets the requirements of Subsection 59-12-107(2).
(4) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission may make rules to establish a mechanism for a person to report a perceived violation of this section.

The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill. Section 5. Section 59-14-903 is enacted to read:
59-14-903. License to make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(1) The commission shall issue a license to make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco to a retailer that submits an application, on a form the commission creates, that includes: (a) the retailer's name;
(b) the address of the facility from which the retailer will make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco;
(c) the retailer's federal identification number;
(d) proof that the retailer uses an age verification system and requires an individual 21 years old or older to sign for delivery and to take possession of the cigar or pipe tobacco;
(e) proof of receipt of a sales tax license, if applicable; and
(f) any other information the commission requires to implement this chapter.

(2) A license described in Subsection (1) is: (a) valid for three years;
(b) valid only for a single facility from which the retailer makes a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco; and
(c) renewable if a licensee meets the criteria for licensing described in Subsection (1).

(3) A retailer that holds a license to sell under Section 59-14-301 does not need to obtain a license under this section to make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(4) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(a)(ii), the commission shall require a remote seller that is responsible under this part for collection of tax on a cigar or pipe tobacco to post a bond.
(ii) A remote seller that posts a bond under Section 59-14-301 is not required to post an additional bond under this section.

(b) The remote seller may post the bond required by Subsection (4)(a) in combination with any bond required by Section 59-14-201 or 59-14-803.
(c) Subject to Subsection (4)(d), the commission shall determine the form and the amount of the bond.
(d) The minimum amount of the bond shall be: (i) except as provided in Subsection (4)(d)(ii) or (4)(d)(iii), $500;
(ii) if the remote seller posts the bond required by Subsection (4)(a) in combination with a bond required by either Section 59-14-201 or 59-14-803, $1,000; or
(iii) if the remote seller posts the bond required by Subsection (4)(a) in combination with the bonds required by both Sections 59-14-201 and 59-14-803, $1,500.

(5) In addition to other authorized reasons for the commission to deny or revoke a license or a license renewal under this title, the commission may deny or revoke a license to a retailer who makes or wishes to make remote retail sales of cigars or pipe tobacco if: (a) the retailer violates this title;
(b) the retailer does not meet the requirements for licensure;
(c) the retailer submits misleading or false information on the retailer's application for licensure; or
(d) a retailer has had a license to sell any tobacco or nicotine products revoked by another state.

(6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission may make rules to establish the additional information described in Subsection (1)(f) that a retailer shall provide in the application.
(7) The commission may not charge a fee for a license under this section.

Section 6. Section 59-14-904 is enacted to read:
59-14-904. Taxation of a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(1) A tax is imposed on a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco if the cigar or pipe tobacco was not taxed under Section 59-14-302.
(2) (a) The amount of the tax imposed under this section on a cigar or pipe tobacco is.86 multiplied by: (i) the actual cost of the cigar or pipe tobacco; or
(ii) if the actual cost is unavailable, the actual cost of the cigar or pipe tobacco as identified in the actual cost list.

(b) A remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco that is subject to the tax imposed by this section is not subject to the tax imposed by Section 59-14-302.

(3) If a tax is due under Subsection (2), a remote seller that meets the requirements of Subsection 59-12-107(2) shall collect the tax from a consumer at the time of a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(4) The commission shall deposit the revenue generated by the tax imposed under this section into the General Fund.

Section 7. Section 59-14-905 is enacted to read:
59-14-905. Remittance of tax -- Returns -- Invoice required -- Filing requirement -- Exception -- Penalty -- Overpayment.
(1) (a) A remote seller that collects the tax imposed on a cigar or pipe tobacco under this part shall remit to the commission, in an electronic format the commission approves: (i) the tax the remote seller collected in the previous calendar quarter; and
(ii) the quarterly tax return.

(b) The remote seller shall file the return and remit the taxes collected on or before the last day of April, July, October, and January.

(2) (a) A remote seller shall provide the consumer with an itemized invoice showing: (i) the remote seller's name and address;
(ii) the name and delivery address of the consumer;
(iii) the date of sale;
(iv) the final cost and quantity for each item;
(v) a statement of the tax collected under this part;
(vi) the itemized sales and use tax, if applicable; and
(vii) shipping charges, if stated separately.

(b) The remote seller shall retain a copy of each invoice and make the invoice available for inspection at the request of the commission or the commission's agent for a period of three years following the remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
(c) The remote seller shall retain purchasing records to verify the actual cost or actual cost list value for each item by stock-keeping unit.

(3) (a) A consumer that purchases an untaxed cigar or pipe tobacco for use or other consumption shall: (i) file with the commission, on a form the commission approves, a statement showing the quantity and description of the item subject to tax under this part; and
(ii) pay the tax imposed by this part on the item.

(b) The consumer shall file the statement described in Subsection (3)(a) and pay the tax due on or before the last day of the month immediately following the month during which the consumer purchased an untaxed cigar or pipe tobacco.
(c) A consumer shall maintain records necessary to determine the amount of tax the consumer is liable to pay under this part for a period of three years after the day on which the consumer filed the statement required by this section.

(4) A nonresident who imports an untaxed cigar or pipe tobacco into the state does not need to file the statement described in Subsection (3) or pay the tax if the item is for the nonresident's own use or consumption while in this state.
(5) In addition to the tax required by this part, a person shall pay a penalty as provided in Section 59-1-401, plus interest at the rate and in the manner provided in Section 59-1-402, for a period of four years after the day on which the tax is due if a person subject to this section fails to: (a) pay the tax required by this part;
(b) pay the tax on time; or
(c) file a return required by this part.

(6) An overpayment of a tax imposed by this part shall accrue interest at the rate and in the manner provided in Section 59-1-402.

Section 8. Section 59-14-906 is enacted to read:
59-14-906. Criminal penalty for making a remote retail sale without compliance with this part.
(1) It is unlawful for a person to make a remote retail sale of a cigar or pipe tobacco without complying with the requirements of this part.
(2) A violation of Subsection (1) is a class B misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine.

Section 9. Section 76-9-1107 is amended to read:
76-9-1107. Illegal indirect sale of a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product.
(1) (a) As used in this section: (i) (A) "Face-to-face exchange" means a transaction made in person between an individual and a retailer or retailer's employee.
(B) "Face-to-face exchange" does not include a sale through a vending machine or a self-service display.

(ii) "Retailer" means a person who: (A) sells a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product to an individual for personal consumption; or
(B) operates a facility with a vending machine that sells a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product.

(iii) "Self-service display" means a display of a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product to which the public has access without the intervention of a retailer or retailer's employee.

(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-9-1101 apply to this section.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an actor commits illegal indirect sale of a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product if the actor: (a) is a retailer; and
(b) sells a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product in a manner that does not include a face-to-face exchange.

(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is: (a) a class C misdemeanor on the first offense;
(b) a class B misdemeanor on the second offense; or
(c) a class A misdemeanor on the third or subsequent offense.

(4) The face-to-face sale requirement in Subsection (2) does not apply to: (a) a mail-order, telephone, or [Internet] internet sale made in compliance with Section 59-14-509 or a remote retail sale, as defined in Section 59-14-901, of a cigar or pipe tobacco made in compliance with Section 59-14-902;
(b) a sale from a vending machine or self-service display that is located in an area of a retailer's facility: (i) that is distinct and separate from the rest of the facility; and
(ii) where the retailer only allows an individual who is under 21 years old to be present if the individual: (A) is accompanied by the actor's parent or legal guardian; or
(B) (I) is present solely for the purpose of providing a service to the business, including making a delivery;
(II) is monitored by the proprietor business or an employee of the business; and
(III) is not permitted to make any purchase or conduct any commercial transaction other than the service described in Subsection (4)(b)(ii)(B)(II); or

(c) a sale at a retail tobacco specialty business.

(5) (a) An individual's parent or legal guardian who accompanies an individual into an area described in Subsection (4)(b)(ii)(A) may not allow the individual to purchase a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product.
(b) A violation of Subsection (5)(a) is an offense under Section 76-9-1104.

Section 10. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Section 11. Coordinating H.B. 447 with S.B. 210.
If H.B. 447, Tobacco Amendments, and S.B. 210, Nicotine Amendments, both pass and become law, the Legislature intends that, on January 1, 2027: (1) Subsection 59-14-903(2)(a) enacted in H.B. 447 be amended to read: "(a) valid for one year;"; and (2) Subsection 59-14-903(7) enacted in H.B. 447 be amended to read: "(7) The commission shall charge $250 for issuing or renewing a license under this section.".

3-10-26 9:59 AM