§ 26-57-254 — Safety inspections on permitted products - Restrictions on use of e-liquid products and alternative nicotine products - Definitions

(a) In order to assure that the citizens of this state receive only tobacco products, vapor products, alternative nicotine products, or e-liquid products that are fresh and not contaminated, and to ensure the safety of Arkansas youth, the Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control is authorized under this subchapter to: (1) Inspect or cause to be inspected any tobacco product, vapor product, alternative nicotine product, or e-liquid container in places of storage or distribution authorized under this subchapter; and (2) Require any tobacco products, vapor products, alternative nicotine products, or e-liquid containers found to be contaminated, damaged, or not fresh be removed from stock and be either returned to the proper wholesaler or manufacturer for disposal according to law or delivered to the Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control for destruction or disposal. (b) (1) It is a violation for any person to use a tobacco product, vapor product, alternative nicotine product, or e-liquid product in or on the grounds of any school, childcare facility, or healthcare facility. (2) As used in subdivision (b)(1) of this section: (A) "Childcare facility" means the same as provided in § 20-78-202(2) ; (B) "Healthcare facility" means the same as provided in § 20-27-1803(6) ; and (C) "School" means: (i) Any buildings, parking lots, playing fields, playgrounds, school buses, or other school vehicles; or (ii) Any off-campus school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events with respect to any public, charter, or private school where children attend classes in kindergarten programs or grades one through twelve (1-12). (c) On and after July 22, 2015, all alternative nicotine products and e-liquid containers containing nicotine sold at retail in this state shall satisfy the child-resistant packaging effectiveness standards described in § 26-57-203 when tested in accordance with the method described by 16 C.F.R. § 1700.20 , as it existed on January 1, 2015. (d) As used in this section, "e-liquid container" means a bottle or other container of e-liquid that is sold or provided for mixing at retail and is marketed or intended for use in a vapor product, but does not include e-liquid contained in a cartridge that is sold, marketed, or intended for use in a vapor product if the cartridge is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer and is not intended to be opened by the consumer.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2015, No. 1235,§ 18, eff. 5/1/2015. Acts 1977, No. 546, § 3; 1979, No. 911, § 5; 1983, No. 255, § 1; 1985, No. 684, § 1; 1985, No. 824, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 84-4503.