Accomplishments

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2025 Accomplishments

Bill Number SB0842

Like HB1241, this bill grants enforcement authority to the ATCC and includes clerical record-keeping requirements for vapor products.

The MVA testified in support, both orally and in writing, while suggesting amendments to eliminate the tedious clerical requirements that did not contribute to compliance. These amendments were made, resulting in the bill passing the Senate Finance Committee and receiving a favorable vote from the Senate. It will become law on October 1, 2025.

Bill Number HB1241

Grants enforcement power to the ATCC and introduces clerical requirements for record-keeping of vapor products.

The MVA provided both oral and written testimony supporting the bill but advocated for amendments to remove cumbersome clerical requirements that wouldn’t enhance compliance. The amendments were accepted, leading to the bill passing the Economic Matters Committee and receiving favorable votes from the House of Delegates and the Senate. It is set to become law on October 1, 2025.

Bill Number SB0918

Similar to HB1441, this bill was developed in conjunction with the Attorney General’s tobacco compliance office and big tobacco. It proposes a registry of vapor products approved by the Attorney General with no specific guidelines, along with high fees exceeding $5,000 per SKU for approval.

The MVA voiced strong opposition through both written and oral testimony, stating that the bill favored big tobacco interests. As a result, it was not voted on in the Senate Finance Committee and was confirmed dead before the crossover deadline.

Bill Number HB1441

This bill, crafted with the assistance of the Attorney General’s tobacco compliance office and big tobacco, establishes a registry of vapor products approved by the Attorney General, lacking specific approval guidelines. It imposes exorbitant fees of over $5,000 per SKU for approval to sell in Maryland.

The MVA opposed this bill with both written and oral testimony, arguing that it was designed by big tobacco to their advantage. The bill was not voted on in the Economic Matters Committee and was effectively deemed dead before the crossover deadline.

2024 Accomplishments

Bill Number SB1056

Requires that vapor products be sold only by licensed vape shops. It introduces an additional licensing fee and imposes stricter penalties on retailers selling to underage individuals.

The MVA testified in support of the bill, which passed as originally written in the Senate Finance Committee. However, the Economic Matters Committee later removed the provision requiring vapor products to be sold exclusively in licensed vape shops. The final version of the bill passed with an increased licensing fee and tougher penalties for violations.

Bill Number HB1197

Similar to SB987, this bill creates a registry for all vapor products and restricts sales in Maryland to products with FDA approval.

The MVA presented compelling oral testimony and submitted written statements from members. The bill was defeated in the Economic Matters Committee without receiving a vote.

Bill Number SB987

Establishes a registry for all vapor products, limiting sales in Maryland to items with FDA approval.

The MVA testified with compelling evidence and submitted written testimony from its members. The bill was defeated in the Finance Committee without receiving a vote.

Bill Number HB1414

Imposes a 30% tax on open vapor systems.

The MVA submitted a strong written testimony and attended the hearing to provide oral testimony against the bill. As a result of the MVA’s strong presence, the sponsor withdrew the bill.

2023 Accomplishments

Bill Number SB259

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and importation of all flavored tobacco products, including flavored vaping products, within the State of Maryland.

MVA defeats the bill in the Finance Committee.

2022 Accomplishments

Bill Number SB99

Allowing counties to enact their own tobacco laws regulating sale, distribution, and taxation of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices.

MVA defeats the bill in Finance Committee

Bill Number HB442

Allowing Baltimore City to enact their own tobacco laws regulating sale, distribution, and taxation of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices.

MVA defeats the bill after an unfavorable report in Economic Matters Committee

Bill Number HB477

Allowing counties to enact their own tobacco laws regulating sale, distribution, and taxation of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices.

Bill withdrew by sponsor due to lobbying efforts on behalf of the MVA

Bill Number SB249

Allowing Baltimore City to enact their own tobacco laws regulating sale, distribution, and taxation of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices.

Bill withdrew by sponsor due to lobbying efforts on behalf of the MVA

Bill Number HB1227

Specifies synthetic nicotine as a tobacco product, and therefore is subject to regulations as a tobacco product.

Bill withdrew by sponsor due to lobbying efforts on behalf of the MVA

Bill Number SB990

Sets product limitation on adult purchases. Bans one-time disposable use of electronic cigarettes, and requires electronic cigarettes sold in-store to be on the market on or before 08/08/2016.

Bill withdrew by sponsor due to lobbying efforts on behalf of the MVA

2021 Accomplishments

Bill Number HB732

MVA offered amendments to lower the proposed 86% wholesale and floor tax to a 6% point of sales tax for all e-liquid above 5mL. The governor vetoed the tax bill, but the veto was overridden.

The new tax is effective on March 14, 2021.

Bill Number SB177 (Hearing) and SB273 (Hearing)

MVA testifies with strong opposition SB177 which is a flavor ban.

MVA offers amendments to SB273 to protect Maryland vape shops and flavored vaping products.

The bill is successfully defeated and never brought to a vote by the Senate Finance Committee.

The bill is never brought to a vote by the Senate Finance Committee.

Bill Number HB134

MVA testifies with strong opposition against flavor ban.

The bill is successfully defeated and never brought to a vote before the Economic Matters Committee.

2020 Accomplishments

Bill Number SB233 (Hearing) and SB273 (Hearing)

MVA testifies with strong opposition against SB233

MVA offered amendments to SB273. These amendments were accepted and saved open vapor systems and flavored eliquid.

The bill was defeated and never brought to a vote before the Senate Fiance Committee.

The bill did not make it to the senate for a vote before a COVID shutdown occurred.

Bill Number HB3

MVA worked with legislators to draft fair amendments for vape shop owners across Maryland. Many showed in opposition at the hearing, further showcasing the need for the bill to be reformed. MVA’s amendments were accepted and saved open vapor systems and flavored eliquid.

The Economic Matters Committee successfully passed the bill before the COVID shutdown.