HB 5228 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND VAPOR PRODUCT DEALERS.

HB 5228 requires new and renewing cigarette and vaping product dealers in Connecticut to obtain a license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services starting October 1, 2026. It directly affects businesses selling these products by imposing two key limits: no more than 25% of a store’s retail floor space can be dedicated to tobacco products, and tobacco sales cannot exceed 50% of the business’s total annual retail sales. The bill also mandates that applicants post license applications online and at the business location for two weeks, allowing local residents to file objections. If a business exceeds the space or sales limits, the commissioner may deny or refuse to renew the license. This bill updates licensing rules for tobacco and vaping product dealers without changing tax rates or product regulations.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Apr 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → GL Joint Favorable Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' following committee review. The most significant change is the removal of a restriction that previously prevented tobacco dealers from selling electronic nicotine delivery systems (vapes) if they sold too many traditional cigarettes. The new version replaces the old tobacco dealer license with a new 'dealer registration' system specifically for vape products, while retaining age verification requirements for all vape sales.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from regulating general tobacco dealers who might also sell vapes to creating a specific registration system for businesses selling electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products. It removes the previous cap limiting how much floor space or revenue a tobacco dealer could dedicate to vapes.

ELIGIBILITY

Deleted the restriction that barred tobacco dealers from obtaining a license if more than 25% of their floor space or 50% of their revenue came from selling cigarettes and taxed tobacco products alongside vapes.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for key terms including 'dealer registration', 'electronic nicotine delivery system', 'vapor product', and 'authorized owner'.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the general tobacco dealer license with a specific 'dealer registration' required for selling or possessing electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products.

Added a requirement for vape dealers to post a sign stating that cannabis is not sold at their location.

Changed the revenue threshold for requiring age verification for all customers entering a vape store from a specific percentage of total sales to a flat 50% threshold for specific product categories.

Removed the requirement for applicants to post public notices on municipal websites and physical signs at the business location prior to licensing.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the regulatory authority from the Commissioner of Revenue Services to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

Floor votes · House Apr 20, 2026

How they voted

139–3

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 150

Apr 20, 2026

D Democratic101

93 Yea 2 Nay 6

92% Yea

R Republican49

46 Yea 1 Nay 2

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors