State Advocacy
Legislative Updates - Tobacco/Nicotine/Alternative Tobacco Products
On Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, HB 1570 will be heard in the House Finance and Taxation Committee at 9:30 am. This bill proposes a $1.09 increase in the cigarette tax, aligning North Dakota with South Dakota’s tax rate. It will also increase snuff by $1.36 and chewing tobacco by $0.36. Include nicotine pouches in the definition of alternative tobacco products and establish a new tax on electronic nicotine products/alternative tobacco products. This bill is in support of the American Lung Association (ALA), American Cancer Society (ACS), American Heart Association (AHA), and Tobacco Free North Dakota (TFND).
Action: Inform your local Representative to SUPPORT HB 1570 and provide a personal story.
Facts:
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North Dakota’s tax on cigarettes is only $0.44. That ranks 49th in the country and much lower than the average state cigarette tax at $1.97 per pack. North Dakota has not raised the tax on cigarettes since 1993.
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North Dakota does not tax e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches (ZYN), or gels as commercial tobacco products, and the tax rate on other commercial tobacco products (like chewing tobacco and snuff) is also very low.
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The Surgeon General says price increase is one of the most effective methods to get people who currently use products to quit, as well as prevent others from starting.
Legislative Updates - Cigar Lounge
The 2025 ND Legislative Session is well underway, and the Capital has been busy. Below are some of the bills we are tracking to keep the NDSRC constituency aware of legislative changes in our state that could impact our profession and/or the patient populations we serve.
Cigar Lounge – HB 1440 will weaken ND Smoke Free Law
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1/20/2025 HB 1440 was heard in the House Finance and Taxation Committee, where an amendment was placed to permit pipe smoke to be smoked in Cigar Lounges. This allows one more tobacco product to be smoked.
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1/21/2025 HB 1440 was placed on the 6th Order to adopt the amendment.
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1/22/2025 HB 1440 was heard on the House Floor and voted 81 years to 13 nays and 0
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It was sent to the Senate and will probably be heard after the cross-over on February 28th.
Action Step: Educate our Senators about HB1440 and how it will weaken the ND Smoke Free Law. You can sign and have others sign support cards for the ND Smoke Free Law from Tobacco Free North Dakota (TFND). Here is the link: https://tfnd.org/resources/#:~:text=TFND%20strongly%20believes%20in%20a,Raising%20Tobacco%20Prices