S.C. Code § 44-95-45

Current through 2024 Act No. 225.

Section 44-95-45 - Preemption

(A) Political subdivisions of this State may not enact any laws, ordinances, or rules pertaining to ingredients, flavors, or licensing, beyond a general business license, related to the sale of the following products:

(1) cigarettes, as defined in Section 12-21-620;

(2) electronic smoking devices, e-liquid, vapor products, or tobacco products, each as defined in Section 16-17-501; or

(3) any other product containing nicotine that can be ingested into the body by chewing, smoking, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, or by any means.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with a political subdivision's authority to determine its own public-use policies relating to any of the products referenced in this section.

S.C. Code § 44-95-45

Added by 2023 S.C. Acts, Act No. 38 (HB 3681),s 2, eff. 5/16/2023.

2023 Act No. 38, Sections 1, 3 to 4, and 13, provide as follows:

"SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'Omnibus Tobacco Enforcement Act of 2023'."

"SECTION 3. Laws, ordinances, or rules enacted by political subdivisions of this State prior to December 31, 2020, pertaining to ingredients, flavors, or licensing, related to the sale of cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, e-liquid, vapor products, tobacco products, or any other products containing nicotine that can be ingested into the body by chewing, smoking, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, or by any means, and municipal code amendments to said laws, ordinances, or rules, are exempt from the preemption imposed by this act. Nothing in this act shall be construed to interfere with a political subdivision's authority to determine its own public-use policies relating to any of the products referenced in this act.

"SECTION 4. Nothing in this act shall be construed to interfere with a political subdivision's authority under Chapter 29, Title 6, including, without limitation, with respect to land use regulation, land development regulation, zoning, or permitting."

"SECTION 13. This act takes effect ninety days after approval by the Governor except SECTION 2, SECTION 3, and SECTION 4 which take effect upon approval by the Governor."