Montana Vape Legislation: Why You Should Oppose HB 149 & HB 177

Montana lawmakers are considering two bills—HB 149 and HB 177—that would create a separate regulatory framework for vapor products, requiring additional retail licenses, penalties, and local government oversight. While these bills claim to regulate alternative nicotine products responsibly, they could burden small businesses, increase costs for consumers, and pave the way for local bans and restrictions. 


Why You Should Oppose These Bills 

 

Unnecessary Licensing Hurts Small Businesses 

  • Requiring separate retail licenses for vapor products adds bureaucratic red tape and financial strain on vape shops, convenience stores, and gas stations. 

  • These added costs could force small businesses to shut down or pass expenses onto consumers. 

 

Local Government Control Leads to Patchwork Bans 

  • While the bills maintain a statewide framework, they allow local governments to impose additional restrictions, leading to inconsistent laws across Montana. 

  • This could create de facto flavor bans and sales restrictions, making it harder for adults to access superior nicotine alternatives. 

 

Alternative Nicotine Products Should Be Encouraged, Not Restricted 

  • Studies show that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and helps millions of adults quit combustible cigarettes. 

  • Creating extra regulations and penalties discourages smokers from switching, which is counterproductive to public health. 

 

Retailers Already Follow Strict Compliance Measures 

  • Montana already prohibits sales of vapor products to minors. Additional licensing and penalties are redundant and unnecessary. 

  • Instead of targeting responsible businesses, enforcement efforts should focus on illegal sales and youth access prevention. 

 

📨 How to Contact Your Representatives 

 

Let your lawmakers know you oppose HB 149 & HB 177 and want to protect access to smoke and ash-free nicotine products. Use these talking points when reaching out: 

 

📌 "I oppose HB 149 & HB 177 because they create unnecessary regulatory burdens that hurt small businesses and increase consumer costs." 

 

📌 "Vapor products help adult smokers quit. Restricting access through excessive licensing and local government control discourages transitioning." 

 

📌 "Montana already prohibits underage sales. Additional penalties and licensing requirements are redundant and will not improve compliance." 

 

📌 "I urge you to vote NO on these bills and instead focus on policies that support superior consumer choices and responsible access to smoke-free alternatives." 

 

 

📞 Take Action Today! 

 

Call or email your state representatives and urge them to vote NO on HB 149 & HB 177. You can find your elected officials using VTA’s Action Center. 

Share this information with fellow advocates and local vape businesses. 


Stay informed and engaged as these bills move through the legislatur

 

 

 

Montana consumers and business owners deserve fair, evidence-based regulations—not overreach that harms small businesses and limits access to alternative nicotine products. Make your voice heard today! 🚨 

 

 

 

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