In this post, we take a closer look at state tobacco and nicotine product licensing considerations. When approaching state licensing issues, it may be helpful to establish a checklist to help manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers determine the impact of these laws on their products and distribution models. State licensing requirements can be complicated but, with a basic understanding of the key issues described below and good practices, manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers can ensure they remain compliant.  Continue Reading State Licensing Considerations for Tobacco and Nicotine Product Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers

In the first half of 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continued ramping up efforts to limit sales of unauthorized electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). We previously reported on FDA’s heightened enforcement against sellers of unauthorized ENDS in 2023 and predicted that this pattern of enforcement would continue. A year-to-date review of 2024 shows that FDA is placing a high priority on action against unauthorized ENDS. Continue Reading FDA Unauthorized ENDS Enforcement: 2024 Mid-Year Roundup

Agustin Rodriguez and Cole White of the Troutman Pepper Cannabis Team will be attending the 2024 CANNRA External Stakeholders Meeting. This in-person event will be held in Minneapolis, MN from June 3-6, 2024, and presents a great opportunity for government and industry members to share perspectives on issues related to regulatory compliance and policy.

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The Food and Drug Law Institute’s 2024 Annual Conference is happening May 15-16, 2024! Agustin Rodriguez of the Troutman Pepper Tobacco + Nicotine team will be participating in a panel discussion on “State Regulation of Nicotine Products: Evaluating Flavor Bans and Registration Lists.” Agustin’s panel will discuss actions being taken at the state and local

FDA recently announced the launch of a new searchable database containing almost 17,000 tobacco products that may be legally marketed in the U.S. The database provides information on each tobacco product including product names, company names, categories (e.g., cigarette, roll-your-own, e-cigarette, cigar, heated tobacco product), sub-categories (e.g., e- components, filler, leaf wrap), source of U.S. marketing authority (e.g., marketing granted order, substantially equivalent order, found exempt order), and the date of FDA’s action on the tobacco products. FDA indicates that it plans to update the database on a monthly basis. This database is helpful to industry members seeking more transparency from FDA about which products are authorized for sale in the U.S. The database is not, however, without limitations.Continue Reading FDA Launches Legally Marketed Tobacco Products Database

Mark your calendars for the TMA 2024 Annual Meeting and Conference! The Troutman Pepper Tobacco + Nicotine team will be in attendance, with our very own Bryan Haynes participating in a panel discussion, “Taking Stock: Discussions on Legal Challenges and What Comes Next.” Bryan will discuss court actions challenging the Center for Tobacco Products’ decisions

On April 2, three advocacy organizations filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking an order directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to promulgate its already-proposed rule banning menthol as a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes. The case comes as FDA has missed several internal deadlines for promulgating a final rule on the topic.Continue Reading Advocacy Organizations Sue FDA Over Delay in Menthol Cigarette Ban

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, 15 U.S.C. § 375 et seq., is a federal law with two primary objectives: (1) to prevent federal and state tax evasion on tobacco products, and (2) to prevent sales of tobacco products to minors. Government agencies, increasingly concerned about cheap, untaxed products getting into the hands of underage consumers, are using the PACT Act’s enforcement tools to crack down on noncompliant companies.

If you are involved in the online sale and/or shipping of tobacco products, here are five things you need to know about the PACT Act.Continue Reading PACT Act Basics: Five Things Tobacco Sellers and Shippers Should Know

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently upheld, in a unanimous decision, the town of Brookline’s ordinance banning the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2000 (the Tobacco Sales Ban). Brookline is the first U.S. locality to impose a tobacco sales ban based on a specific date.Continue Reading Massachusetts High Court Upholds Local Tobacco Sales Ban

A couple of years ago we posted an overview of state licensing and excise tax considerations for tobacco companies. In this post, we take a closer look at state excise tax considerations. When approaching state excise tax issues, it may be helpful to establish a checklist to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers determine the impact of these laws on their products and distribution models.Continue Reading State Excise Tax Considerations for Tobacco and Nicotine Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers