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Should vapor products be regulated the same, regardless of whether they contain nicotine? A bill before the Louisiana State Legislature would accomplish just that, with respect to the State’s laws on such things as retailer permits, over-the-counter sales, self-service displays, and vending machines. Continue Reading Louisiana Bill Would Extend Vapor Laws to Non-Nicotine Products

Menthol cigarettes have been around since the 1920s. Will New Jersey become the first State to ban them?

Pending before the New Jersey Legislature are Assembly Bill No. 2185 (primary sponsor Del. Herb Conaway, Jr. [D-Dist. 7]) and Senate Bill No. 1947 (primary sponsors Sen. Joseph F. Vitale [D-Dist. 19] and Sen. Robert W. Singer [R-Dist. 30]). The bills are identical. If enacted, they would “include[] menthol and clove cigarettes in the current prohibition against the sale and distribution of flavored cigarettes.” Continue Reading Menthol Ban Pending Before New Jersey Legislature

Pending before the New Jersey Legislature is Assembly Bill No. 1586, which, among other things, would “impose[] the New Jersey Tobacco Products Wholesale Sales and Use Tax on electronic cigarettes.” New Jersey does not currently impose excise taxes on electronic cigarettes. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee, where it remains under consideration. Continue Reading New Jersey Legislature Considering 75% Tax on Electronic Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Product Tax and Licensure Changes

While the major tobacco companies pursue modified risk tobacco applications with the Food and Drug Administration, a number of bills are pending in state legislatures that would lower or eliminate tobacco product excise taxes for products that receive an FDA modified risk order. Continue Reading Major Tobacco Companies Pursue Legislation to Lower Taxes for Modified Risk Tobacco Products

Pending before the Mississippi Legislature is House Bill 906, which, if enacted, would increase the “tobacco equity tax” applicable to cigarettes manufactured by non-signatories to the State’s 1997 tobacco settlement agreement in Moore ex rel. State v. American Tobacco Co., et al., No. 94-1429 (Miss. Ch. Ct. Jackson Cnty.) (the “tobacco settlement agreement”). On January 11, 2018, the bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, which is chaired by the bill’s principal author, Representative Jeffrey C. Smith (R-Dist. 39). Continue Reading Increase Proposed for Mississippi’s “Tobacco Equity Tax”

Coming under scrutiny in the 2017-18 session of the New York State Legislature, electronic cigarettes and other vapor products have been the subject of various proposed bills. Pending legislation could affect excise taxation, discounts, and warning labels. Some bills would even prohibit certain types of vapor products. Continue Reading E-Cigarette Bills Pending in New York State Legislature

A bill was introduced in the New Hampshire legislature on January 3, 2018 regarding the regulation of e-liquids. The bill, NH18-H.1812, specifically addresses labeling requirements for e-liquid products. Distributors and manufacturers of e-liquid products to be sold in New Hampshire would be required to add a product label which includes a list of ingredients in the product in accordance with the FDA’s food guidelines. Also, e-liquids could not contain diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, or acetoin or “any substance known to be hazardous when inhaled in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration guidelines.” If passed, this bill would be in effect as of January 1, 2019.

Little has transpired on two bills that would expand and increase the excise tax on tobacco products. Pending in Congress are S. 1837, introduced by Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), and H.R. 729, introduced by Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence (D.-Mich.). Continue Reading Bills that Would Expand and Increase the Tobacco Excise Tax Pending in Congress

On November 8, 2017, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) introduced H.R. 4273. The next day, Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 2100. If passed, either bill would enact the “Tobacco to 21 Act.” The bills have been referred, respectively, to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Continue Reading Renewed Effort to Push “Tobacco to 21” Bills Through Congress

Just last year, Pennsylvania passed a draconian new tax on electronic cigarettes.  Imposed at the rate of 40% of the retailer’s purchase price, the tax applies to all “electronic cigarettes,” which is defined to mean an “electronic oral device, such as one composed of a heating element and battery or electronic circuit, or both, which provides a vapor of nicotine or any other substance and the use or inhalation of which simulates smoking.”  This term is defined to include both (1) a device, as described in the definition above, and irrespective how it is marketed, and (2) any liquid or other substance placed or sold for use in such a device.  Continue Reading Legislation Proposed to Revamp Pennsylvania Vape Tax