AB-957 • 2026

Cigarette and tobacco products: retail sale: pharmacies.

Crime Education Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ortega
Last action: 2025-07-07
Official status: In committee: Reconsideration granted.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties beyond stating they are crimes.

No Cigarettes and Tobacco in Pharmacies

AB-957 stops pharmacies from selling cigarettes or tobacco products.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law for pharmacies to sell cigarettes or tobacco products.
Does not allow the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to give licenses to pharmacies that want to sell cigarettes or tobacco.

Who It Names or Affects

Pharmacies in California

Terms To Know

License: A special permission given by the government to sell certain items.
Retail sale: Selling things directly to customers for personal use, not for resale.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if pharmacies already have licenses to sell cigarettes and tobacco.
It is unclear how this law will affect existing businesses that combine pharmacy services with other retail items like cigarettes.
This bill has passed the Legislature but its final status, such as whether it becomes a law or not, is still pending.

Bill History

2025-07-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Reconsideration granted.
2025-06-30 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and REV. & TAX.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 4. Page 1867.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 1.) (May 23).
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-29 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-28 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 18. Noes 1.) (April 23).
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on G.O. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on B. & P. and G.O.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 957, as amended, Ortega.
Cigarette and tobacco products: retail sale: pharmacies.
Existing law, the
Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2023, requires a retailer to hold a license from the State Board of Equalization to engage in the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products, and makes a violation of those provisions a misdemeanor and subject to specified other penalties. Existing law, the
Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacies by the California State Board of Pharmacy, and makes a violation of the Pharmacy Law a misdemeanor.
This bill would prohibit a pharmacy from engaging in the retail sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. Because a violation of
the bill’s provisions
this provision
would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law, the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2023, requires a retailer to hold a license from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to engage in the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products for each retail location. Existing law requires the department to issue a license to a retailer upon receipt of a completed application and payment of required fees, unless certain
circumstances apply.
This bill would prohibit the department from issuing a license to a retailer if the retailer is a pharmacy or the application is for a retail location that contains a pharmacy.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF