A bill that would have exempted Subsequent Participating Manufacturers (SPMs) to the Master Settlement Agreement from Mississippi’s so-called “equity tax” or “nonsettling manufacturers fee” has died in committee.
Troutman Pepper Locke Tobacco Practice
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Submitting Applications for Modified Risk Tobacco Products
Earlier this month, FDA offered draft guidance for requests for approval of modified risk tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act. Comments on FDA’s draft guidance may be submitted by June 4, 2012.
Testing Tobacco Products to be Required
The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued on March 30, 2012 a Draft Guidance (attached) which contains requirements for Reporting Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (“HPHC”) in Tobacco Products and Tobacco Smoke.
General Tobacco MSA Challenge Rejected by Appellate Court
Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected a challenge to the Master Settlement Agreement filed by General Tobacco against sixteen tobacco manufacturers and 52 Attorneys General.
Federal Appeals Court Affirms Tribal Sales Ban
In late February, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s decision allowing the Oklahoma Attorney General to enforce a new law banning tribal sales of cigarettes that are not included in the state’s directory of approved non-participating manufacturers.
Smokeshop Magazine Article Discusses FDA Marketing Restrictions
A recent Smokeshop Magazine article by the Troutman Sanders Tobacco practice discusses the Tobacco Control Act’s restrictions on brand name sponsorships by tobacco companies.
FDA Gathering Information From E-Cigarette Manufacturers
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products has issued letters to e-cigarette manufacturers requesting information regarding the safety of electronic cigarettes.
Free Speech and Tobacco Regulation Go to Court in Rhode Island
A number of tobacco trade associations and manufacturers have filed a federal lawsuit in the United States federal District Court in Rhode Island seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions against the enforcement of two tobacco-related ordinances adopted on January 5, 2012, by the Providence, Rhode Island City Council.
Tennessee Bill Would Expand Escrow Enforcement
A bill pending in the Tennessee legislature (SB 3578 / HB 3632) would expand enforcement of escrow obligations.
NAAG Scrutinizes Tribal Sales
An article from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Tobacco Project, entitled Regulating Tribal Cigarette Sales Under the Master Settlement Agreement, evidences NAAG’s recent focus on collecting escrow payments for tribal cigarette sales.