AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED 2880
Alaska2026Vetoed
SB24
SB 24: Raising Age Limits for Tobacco, Nicotine, and E-Cigs
Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill raises the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco and nicotine products from 19 to 21 years old in Alaska.
What it does
- Raises the legal age to purchase, exchange, give, or possess tobacco and electronic smoking products to 21 years old.
- Makes it illegal for businesses with a specific license endorsement to allow employees under 19 years of age to sell these products.
- Allows vending machines in licensed bars, clubs, package stores, or private employee break rooms if they are supervised or restricted as described in the law.
- Creates an affirmative defense for people under 21 who possess nicotine products approved by the FDA for medical use or quitting smoking that were prescribed, given by a parent/guardian, provided by a state program, or sold by a pharmacist to someone 18 or older without a prescription.
- Sets a fine of up to $100 for possession violations but allows courts to refer offenders to tobacco education programs instead.
Who it affects
- People under 21 years old in Alaska
- Retailers and businesses that sell tobacco or electronic smoking products
- Employees who work at stores selling these items, specifically those aged 19 or 20 employed by licensed retailers
Limits and unknowns
- The governor vetoed this bill on June 18, 2026. It did not become law unless lawmakers overrode that veto.
- The provided text does not state if an override vote occurred or when it might happen.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Electronic smoking product
- Devices like e-cigarettes that deliver nicotine without burning tobacco.
- Affirmative defense
- A legal argument where the person accused admits to an act but provides a reason why it should not be punished, such as having medical approval for the product or receiving it from a parent.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG AGE; E-CIG TAX An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to retail cigar stores; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date.
Official activity
Bill history
- (S) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/18/263027
- (S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR2957
- (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)2957
- (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2817
- (S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y15 N52816
- (S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP2816
- (H) VERSION: HCS CSSB 24(FIN) AM H2956
- (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED2956
- (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 322939
- (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y39 N12920
- (H) PASSED Y24 N162919
- (H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS CSSB 24(FIN) AM H2919
- (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC2919
- (H) AM NO 6 AS AMD WITHDRAWN Y27 N132919
- (H) AM 1 TO AM 6 ADOPTED UC2918
- (H) AM NO 6 OFFERED2917
- (H) AM NO 5 NOT OFFERED2917
- (H) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION2917
- (H) AM NO 4 ADOPTED Y21 N192915
- (H) AM NO 3 FAILED Y19 N212913
Changes
Amendments
7 stored
AM NO 2 OFFERED AND PENDING 2880
AM NO 3 FAILED Y19 N21 2913
AM NO 4 ADOPTED Y21 N19 2915
AM NO 5 NOT OFFERED 2917
AM NO 6 OFFERED 2917
AM 1 TO AM 6 ADOPTED UC 2918