An Act relative to small businesses and the sale of certain cultural products

This bill creates a legal exemption for licensed hookah retailers in Massachusetts from certain sales restrictions that normally apply to tobacco products. Under the new rules, these businesses can sell shisha tobacco without adhering to specific Chapter 133 of the Acts of 2019 requirements, provided they maintain a valid license, strictly enforce a minimum age of 21, store products in locked cases accessible only to staff over 21, verify customer identification for every transaction, and record sales as directed by the Department of Public Health. Retailers who fail to meet these conditions or violate the act face a fine of $500 for each infraction. The Department of Public Health is tasked with creating regulations to ensure these provisions are properly implemented.