CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Despite the passage of Kentucky House Bill 11, which aims to reduce underage vaping by limiting vape sales to those over 21 and banning flavored vapes, some believe that the legislation is insufficient.

“If we’re going to clean up vaping and underage smoking, the laws have to have some teeth,” said state Sen. Jimmy Higdon.

Higdon expressed concern that the Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC), which oversees sales, does not have enough authority to enforce the law effectively.

“There’s not much the ABC can do to a retailer that continues to sell to minors,” Higdon said.

In response, Higdon is drafting a new bill that would require all businesses selling cigarettes or vapes to be licensed through Kentucky.

“What this bill does is it requires every business that sells vapes, cigarettes, or both, to buy a license,” Higdon said.

The proposed legislation would impose fines starting at $1,000 for selling to minors, with the possibility of losing your license if fines remain unpaid.

“The retailers who get the fines don’t pay the fines,” Higdon said.

He pointed out that the threat of revoking licenses for repeat offenders could reduce the problem.

“If you weren’t licensed in Kentucky, that would give ABC, if you continued to sell, the ability to seize your inventory,” Higdon added.

ABC officers would conduct annual checks to ensure compliance.

“We want to make sure bad actors know they can continue to do this, but there are consequences,” Higdon said.

His bill would not change any provisions of House Bill 11, which is set to take effect in January 2025.