House Sponsors: SCOTT-CURRY,JULIE-DAVIS,MONIQUE. Short description: TOBACCO-SALE TO MINORS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Provides that tobacco products may be sold in vending machines in taverns only if the vending machine is at least 25 feet from any entrance. Provides that, before selling tobacco products to a person, the retailer must request and examine photographic identification of the person unless it appears without reasonable doubt that the person is over 27 years old. Prohibits retailers from distributing individual cigarettes or a quantity of tobacco from a package intended for individual consumer use. Prohibits the dispensation of tobacco product samples in certain public areas. Requires retailers of tobacco products to place a warning sign at each point of sale. Requires retailers of tobacco products to obtain a license from the Department of Public Health. Increases penalties for the distribution of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. FISCAL NOTE (Dept. of Public Health) HB 784 may have a significant fiscal impact on DPH. Although license fees and fines for violations are to be collected by the State, no provisions are made for deposit of those fees/ fines in a fund that would support the licensure efforts of the Department. Without such legislative language, the monies collected as a result of HB 784 will be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. According to DCCA, there are almost 6,500 grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores, and liquor stores operating in the State today. It is assumed that most of these establishments sell tobacco products or maintain tobacco vending machines. Additionally, some 6,000 food service businesses may also maintain tobacco product vending machines and require one or more licenses under the provisions of HB 784. There are other entities such as gift shops and bars that also will need to apply to IDPH for an annual tobacco retail license pursunt to the Act. Based on the assumption that for every 2,000 applications processed, one staff person is needed to process the application and validate the check, the Department would possibly need 8 additional staff persons to manage the tobacco licensure process, result- ing in a cost to the Department of approximately $500,000 per fiscal year. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status