from staff
The 2009 Florida Legislature passed “Protecting Florida’s Health Act” which levies a surcharge on both cigarettes and tobacco products, excluding cigars. The surcharge on both cigarettes and tobacco products will be administered, collected and enforced by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. In preparation for the July 1, effective date, ABT launched a new Web page to help educate cigarette manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and the public. The new Web page provides helpful information about the new legislation including frequently asked questions, payment options, required documents and much more.
The new surcharge on cigarettes is at the rate of $1 per standard pack of 20 cigarettes, or 5 cents per cigarette. The surcharge on other tobacco products is 60 percent of the wholesale sales price. The surcharge on both cigarettes and tobacco products will be administered, collected, and enforced in the same manner as the excise taxes on these products.
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com