UPDATE – HB 1069 HAS BEEN DEFEATED. PLEASE GO THANK OUR CHAMPION LEGISLATORS HERE!
Big Tobacco is trying to take over South Dakota’s vaping industry
– and they’re using HB 1069 to do it.
We need YOU to stop them.
HB 1069 is a backdoor vaping ban designed to wipe out small businesses, limit consumer choice, and hand the market over to Altria (Philip Morris) and RJ Reynolds. This bill isn’t about safety—it’s about corporate greed and rigging the system to force vapers back to cigarettes.
Here’s the truth about HB 1069:
- It enforces an FDA rule that courts have called UNLAWFUL. (5th Circuit Court Ruling)
- It eliminates independent vape shops and small manufacturers.
- It lets Big Tobacco crush competition—ensuring only THEIR products remain legal.
- It is built on a process currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. (SCOTUS Docket)
They tried to rig the system… and FAILED!
HB 1069 was supposedto go to theSenate Health Committee, where5 out of 7 memberswere cosponsors, ready to rubber-stamp it into law.
We stopped them.
Now,the bill has been moved to the Senate Commerce Committee, where only 1 out of 9 members is a cosponsor.That’s why we must act NOW to kill it!
Why is Big Tobacco Pushing This?
Because they hate competition.
Altria (Philip Morris) and RJ Reynolds aren’t trying to protect public health—they’re trying to eliminate every vape product they don’t own.
Altria admitted it themselves in their 4th Quarter Report:
“Illicit products now represent more than 60% of the e-vapor category… This dynamic compromises our ability to achieve our 2028 smoke-free volume and revenue goals.”(Read It Here)
Translation? They’re mad that people aren’t buying their garbage cigarettes, so they want the government to BAN everything else.
They even admitted to lobbying states to pass laws like this:
“We advocated for state legislatures to enact common-sense solutions… Louisiana and Wisconsin enacted this legislation in 2023, adding to Alabama and Oklahoma.” (Read More)
🚨 HB 1069 isn’t about safety. It’s a corporate shakedown. We can’t let them get away with it. 🚨
AS EASY AS 1 & 2 – TAKE ACTION NOW
We’ve made it easy for you to make your voice heard.
Now that we’re down to the last 24 hours before the committee, email to sign up to testify – either remotely or in person.
Every person’s voice counts, so please consider testifying and telling your story.
We can shut this bill down before it ever reaches the full Senate.
Big Tobacco wants to silence you. Let’s make sure they hear us LOUD and CLEAR.
EMAIL the Senate Commerce Committee a request to appear from a remote site and give testimony before this committee. Submit requests, a digital handout, or written testimony at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting.
Use our form below or email the committee directly at senatecommerce@sdlegislature.gov.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive emails and/or text messages from SD Retailers for Better Alternatives (SDRBA PAC) regarding important legislative updates, advocacy efforts, and related campaigns. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP at any time to opt out of text messages. Your information will not be shared or sold.
CALL THEM: Dial their numbers and demand a NO vote on HB 1069.
