Conspiracy in Montana Gov. & The New Battle for Vaping

A summary of the key information is provided at the bottom of the article.

BUTTE, MT - When Montana State Representative Ron Marshall resigned from office on March 3, 2025, he detonated a political bombshell on his way out.

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The Hamilton Republican, vape shop owner, and long-time vaping advocate accused major tobacco companies of wielding their influence like a cudgel against independent businesses, drowning out his efforts to create fair legislation.

In his own words to Montana Free Press (MFP), “I don’t want to swim in this swamp anymore.”

His dramatic departure goes beyond just a simple personal protest: it was an indictment of the murky intersection between corporate interests and Montana’s legislative process.

And the implications? They go far beyond Marshall himself.

This is a story about power, money, and a fight that could shape the future of vaping in Montana.

The Legislation That Sparked the Fire

Marshall’s crusade centered around House Bill 149 (HB 149)—a measure designed to distinguish vaping products from traditional tobacco and restrict their sale to venues limited to those 21 and older.

To Marshall and independent vape shop owners, this bill was a necessary step in creating clear and fair regulations for an industry that operates in a legal gray area.

But despite passing the House Business and Labor Committee in January, HB 149 stalled and was ultimately struck down on the House floor with a decisive 38-62 vote.

Meanwhile, a different bill—House Bill 525 (HB 525)—which hands more regulatory control over vapor products to the Montana Attorney General and allegedly aligns with Big Tobacco’s interests, breezed through committee and passed without resistance.

So... what’s really happening here?

Follow the Money: How Big Tobacco Plays the Game

If you want to understand Marshall’s resignation, you have to follow the money.

Major players like Altria and R.J. Reynolds have been accused of aggressively lobbying state governments nationwide, attempting to steer regulation in their favor.

Montana, it seems, is no exception.

Marshall alleges that these corporate behemoths leaned on legislators to block HB 149 while simultaneously backing HB 525—a bill that benefits established tobacco giants by making compliance more expensive for small, independent vape businesses.

“The big boys don’t want us in this industry,” Marshall said in an interview with MFP. “They want to strangle us with regulation so only their products remain.”

Campaign finance records lend credence to his claim: Altria and R.J. Reynolds have poured thousands of dollars into Montana’s political machine, contributing to lawmakers who supported HB 525 while remaining curiously absent from those who backed HB 149.

This is part of a larger national strategy by Big Tobacco—one designed to reassert their dominance in a marketplace they initially dismissed.

Now that vaping is a multi-billion-dollar industry, they want in (if they haven't been already, and that's a BIG "if"), and they want competitors out.

Why This Matters for Montana’s Vape Industry

Montana has long been a battleground state for personal freedoms and business autonomy, and vaping regulations are the latest front.

Supporters tout that independent vape shops provide alternatives for adult smokers looking to quit traditional cigarettes, but restrictive policies—especially those written under the influence of corporate lobbyists—could drive them out of business.

If HB 525 and similar legislation continue to gain ground, Big Tobacco could effectively monopolize vaping in Montana.

In other words? Their products would become the only legally compliant options, and independent businesses like Marshall’s would be regulated into oblivion.

A Culture of Corruption? The Swamp Marshall Won’t Swim In

Marshall’s parting words paint a damning picture of Montana’s legislative environment, where he claims lawmakers bow to corporate interests rather than serving the people they were elected to represent.

“Why do I want to stay around a bunch of corrupt people?” he said bluntly to MFP.

It’s a sentiment echoed by many in the vaping industry, who feel they are being shut out of policy discussions.

Who really has the power in Montana? Is it the voters, or is it the industries with deep pockets and political influence?

What’s Next?

With Marshall gone, the fight over vaping in Montana is far from over.

His resignation might have removed one of Big Tobacco’s most vocal opponents, but it also threw a spotlight on the legislative process itself.

Will lawmakers push back against corporate interests, or will Montana become yet another state where independent vaping businesses are suffocated by regulation?

For vape shop owners and customers, the future is uncertain. But one thing is clear—this battle is bigger than just one lawmaker’s resignation. It’s about the soul of Montana politics, and whether ordinary business owners stand a chance against the forces that shape the laws they must live by.

Stay tuned. The fight is just beginning.

Summary:

Montana State Representative Ron Marshall resigned on March 3, 2025, citing corruption and Big Tobacco’s outsized influence on state legislation. As a vape shop owner and advocate, Marshall had been fighting for House Bill 149 (HB 149), which sought to distinguish vaping from traditional tobacco products and regulate them separately. However, the bill was defeated, while House Bill 525 (HB 525)—which benefits major tobacco companies—sailed through the legislature.

Marshall alleges that Big Tobacco lobbyists, particularly from Altria and R.J. Reynolds, pressured lawmakers to kill HB 149 while backing HB 525. Campaign finance records show these corporations have financially supported legislators who voted in favor of HB 525, suggesting undue corporate influence.

The article explores the broader consequences for Montana’s vaping industry, where independent vape shops may be pushed out, leaving Big Tobacco with a near-monopoly over the state’s vaping market. Marshall’s fiery resignation raises larger questions about corruption and the power of corporate money in Montana politics.

With Marshall gone, the fight over vaping regulations is far from over, and Montana’s independent businesses and consumers now face a critical moment in determining the future of vaping in the state.