,Kentucky has enacted Senate Bill 245 to introduce a comprehensive licensing framework for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products. The law sets standardized application requirements and mandates that all retailers obtain a valid license to sell authorized nicotine and vapor products. The legislation restricts the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control from imposing additional licensing conditions beyond those defined by statute and requires the publication of licensing procedures and application forms. It also introduces batch licensing provisions, allowing businesses with multiple locations to apply through a consolidated process, along with clear rules for renewal, fees, and refunds. Additional measures include mandatory age verification for delivery of products, penalties for non-compliance, and restrictions preventing individuals under 21 from purchasing or using tobacco and vapor products. The law also establishes temporary licensing provisions for short-term events and outlines enforcement mechanisms, including grounds for application denial and compliance requirements. The Act includes retroactive applicability to January 1, 2026, and was enacted with an emergency clause, ensuring immediate enforcement following its signing into law.
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