Key tobacco prevention and school cardiac emergency funding bills await governor’s signature
The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, is celebrating the adjournment of the Vermont Legislature’s 2026 session, which delivered significant progress on initiatives that will help save lives across the state. Two key measures — focused on tobacco prevention and cardiac emergency preparedness — have passed the legislature and now await the governor’s signature to become law.
The legislature passed S.198, a comprehensive tobacco prevention bill aimed at better protecting Vermont’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products. The legislation addresses the growing concern over deceptive products being sold and strengthens Vermont’s tobacco retail license laws.
Key provisions of S.198 include:
- Increasing penalties for retailers who illegally sell tobacco products to minors
- Separating tobacco and liquor licenses to improve regulatory oversight
- Establishing a fee for wholesale tobacco licenses
- Banning the marketing and sale of deceptive tobacco products designed to appeal to youth
- Removing penalties for youth and instead offering access to cessation counseling for those who may be struggling with nicotine addiction
By prioritizing prevention and support over punishment, this legislation reflects a public health–centered approach to reducing youth tobacco use and helping young people quit.
In addition to advancing policy change, lawmakers also included critical funding in the state budget. The budget bill, H.951, includes $150,000 to help schools implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs).
This funding will support schools in the purchase of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training for staff.
This investment builds on legislation passed last session requiring schools and athletic programs to adopt CERPs by this fall. With this funding, schools will be better equipped to implement those plans and respond effectively to cardiac emergencies when every second counts.
If signed into law, these measures would mark important steps forward in protecting the health of Vermonters — especially young people — and ensuring schools are prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.
These legislations represent Vermont’s ongoing commitment to prevention and preparedness and reflect the American Heart Association’s mission to improve cardiovascular health for everyone, everywhere.