A bill introduced at the North Dakota Legislature would increase the state’s tax on cigarettes and other commercial tobacco products.

House Bill 1570 would also put a tax on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

The tax would to all nicotine products. The bill describes “alternative tobacco product” as a “noncombustible product containing nicotine or
synthetic nicotine, intended for human consumption by chewing, absorbing, dissolving, or any other means.”

The term includes nicotine gels, nicotine pouches and dissolvable tobacco products.

The tax does not include products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for nicotine replacement therapy.

The bill has been referred to a House committee and will be in a hearing next Wednesday.

“Within the limits of legislative appropriations, the department shall use the moneys in the fund to provide for depression and anxiety behavioral health services by the regional human service centers,” the bill states.