On November 27, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control into law. The new law restricts the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products as well as flavored tobacco products.

Specifically, the law immediately restricts all flavored nicotine vaping products to licensed smoking bars where they may only be consumed on-site. Additionally, the law restricts the sale of all vaping products with a nicotine content over 35 milligrams per milliliter to licensed, adult-only retail tobacco stores and smoking bars. Continue Reading Massachusetts Becomes First State to Ban Flavors

With recent headlines focusing on tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems, it is no surprise that federal and state legislators are turning their attention toward the industry.  Did you know that Troutman Sanders’ lobbyists can help? Continue Reading As Federal and State Legislators Increase Scrutiny of Tobacco and ENDS Companies, Troutman Sanders Lobbyists Can Help

On October 16, the Montgomery County Council publicly authorized its lawsuit filed in federal court on October 11, against Juul Labs and Altria Group for alleged violations of Maryland and federal law based on claims of aggressive marketing of e-cigarette products to minors.

Council President Nancy Navarro remarked, “The Council authorizes taking legal action against Juul Labs and Altria Group. This lawsuit supports our ongoing efforts to protect our community members from the public health impacts associated with e-cigarette products and vaping. Continue Reading Montgomery County, Maryland Takes Judicial and Regulatory Action Against E-Cigarette Manufacturers and Distributors

Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its interim final rule on the establishment of a domestic hemp production program.  It is intended to be effective for two years and then be replaced with a final rule.  The rule outlines provisions for USDA to approve plans submitted by States and Native American tribes for the US domestic production of hemp. Continue Reading USDA Issues Interim Final Rule on Hemp

On October 7, 2019, Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the “Ending Nicotine Dependence from Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Act of 2019” (or “END ENDS Act”), which was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. According to the bill, the Act would “amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a tobacco product standard prohibiting any e-liquid with a concentration of nicotine higher than 20 milligrams per milliliter” in an attempt to reduce adolescent use of ENDS. Continue Reading Congress Introduces Legislation to Cap Nicotine Levels in ENDS

On October 23, 2019, the Appeals Court of Massachusetts upheld the decision (which was the subject of a previous blogpost) of the Superior Court of Massachusetts requiring the lifting of the State’s vapor products ban on October 28th.  The State had filed a motion for stay pending appeal of the Superior Court’s order entered on 10/21/19  concerning the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. The industry plaintiffs opposed that motion and also challenged the Superior Court’s October 21st order. The court found that neither petitioner was entitled to relief and, in particular, confirmed that the State had not demonstrated a likelihood of success on appeal.  In setting forth a path for an expedited appeal, the court acknowledged the likelihood of further appeals.  Feel free to reach out with questions.

On October 21, 2019, the Massachusetts Superior Court for Suffolk County preliminarily enjoined the State – from and after October 28, 2019 – from implementing and enforcing the ban as to “nicotine-vaping products” unless and until the executive branch promulgated the regulation in accordance with Massachusetts due process requirements.  The court allowed the ban to continue with respect to “products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and any other cannabinoid or to black market products.”  Continue Reading Massachusetts Trial Court Temporarily Enjoins State Ban on Vapor Products Pending Further Rulemaking

The Troutman Sanders Tobacco Team will attend a meeting at the Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products on “Deemed Tobacco Product Applications” October 28-29, 2019.

The meeting is intended to provide information on the agency’s expectations for tobacco product applications, with a particular focus on deemed tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigars, pipe and waterpipe.  Continue Reading Troutman Sanders Tobacco Team to Attend FDA Public Meeting on Deemed Tobacco Product Applications

The Troutman Sanders Tobacco Team will attend the Food and Drug Law Institute Tobacco and Nicotine Products Regulation and Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. October 24-25, 2019.

A diverse group of stakeholders, including manufacturers, governmental agencies, researchers and public health advocates, will meet to discuss effective regulation of the broad spectrum of tobacco and nicotine products.  FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller will provide an update on regulations, guidance documents and other initiatives.  Continue Reading Troutman Sanders Tobacco Team to Attend FDLI Tobacco and Nicotine Products Regulation and Policy Conference

Flavored vapor product bans in two States were temporarily stayed this week.  On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, a Michigan state judge temporarily blocked the State’s emergency ban on flavored vapor products, which went into effect earlier this month.  The plaintiffs were two vapor product retailers and an individual owner.  In addition to presenting evidence that the ban had significantly hurt their businesses (resulting in the complete shutdown of one of the companies’ business), the plaintiffs also presented several witnesses whose testimony showed that the ban presented a harm to the public, challenged the efficacy of certain surveys presented by the State and challenged the supposed correlation between youth consumption of burning tobacco and e-cigarettes.  Continue Reading Michigan and Oregon Courts Block Vapor Bans Pending Further Review