A recent Food and Drug Administration Request for Proposal indicates that the agency is poised to more aggressively ensure that vape shops are satisfying their obligations under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The FDA has asked for bids on a third-party contract to inspect vape shops and other companies that manufacture components of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The agency is apparently prepared to spend $23 million over a five-year period for these services. Continue Reading FDA Poised to Crack Down on Vape Shops
State Regulatory
Troutman Tobacco Team’s Article Featured in FDLI’s Update Magazine
Tobacco team members Bryan Haynes and Paige Fitzgerald attended this year’s Annual Conference hosted by the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) in Washington, DC, on May 4-5, 2017. Bryan and Paige covered each of the tobacco-related sessions, and wrote an article for the organization’s Update magazine, which covers current regulatory issues of importance to the industry. Continue Reading Troutman Tobacco Team’s Article Featured in FDLI’s Update Magazine
California Finalizes New Prop. 65 Warning Label Rule
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
On September 2, 2016, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) finalized its rule amending Article 6 of the regulations implementing Proposition 65 (i.e., California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Environment Act of 1986). As a result of the new regulation, tobacco and electronic cigarette manufacturers may be required to update their Proposition 65 warnings. Continue Reading California Finalizes New Prop. 65 Warning Label Rule
Lawsuits Being Filed Against the FDA Regarding Deeming Regulations
Posted in FDA, State Regulatory
In May through July several groups have filed lawsuits against the US Food and Drug Administration alleging that the deeming regulations that expand the regulation by FDA of additional tobacco products violate the law.
Currently there are eight lawsuits pending, of which 5 pertain to the vapor industry. Two of these five have been consolidated because they address similar claims. Continue Reading Lawsuits Being Filed Against the FDA Regarding Deeming Regulations
Expanded Washington Laws Regulating Vapor Products Take Effect
Posted in State Regulatory
Washington is the latest state to impose enhanced regulatory requirements upon retailers and distributors of vapor cigarettes, as well as upon the consumer use of these products. New legislation concerning “vapor products” in Washington took effect on June 28, 2016. Continue Reading Expanded Washington Laws Regulating Vapor Products Take Effect
Deeming Regulations: Important Deadlines in 2016
The FDA’s proposed deeming regulations extend the FDA’s regulatory authority to additional tobacco products including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco and dissolvables, referred to as “covered tobacco products.” The FDA currently regulates cigarette tobacco, roll-your own, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco. Continue Reading Deeming Regulations: Important Deadlines in 2016
Texas Supreme Court Upholds Tax on Non-Settling Tobacco Companies
Posted in Significant Cases, State Regulatory
On April 1, 2016, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state could impose a special tax on cigarette manufacturers that were not part of a multibillion-dollar settlement agreement reached with the major tobacco companies in the late 1990s. Continue Reading Texas Supreme Court Upholds Tax on Non-Settling Tobacco Companies
Hawaii Seeks to Impose Excise Tax on Electronic Smoking Devices & E-liquids
Posted in State Regulatory
The Hawaii Senate has passed a bill that would tax e-liquids and “electronic smoking devices.” The bill now awaits further action in the Hawaii House of Representatives. Continue Reading Hawaii Seeks to Impose Excise Tax on Electronic Smoking Devices & E-liquids
Vermont Introduces Bill to Impose Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes
Posted in State Regulatory
A bill introduced March 25, 2016 in the Vermont legislature proposes to impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes by redefining “other tobacco products” to include any product manufactured from, derived from, or containing tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including electronic cigarettes that have not been approved by the FDA for tobacco cessation or other medical purposes, any liquids whether nicotine based or not, or delivery devices sold separately for use with electronic cigarettes. Other tobacco products are currently taxed at 92% of the wholesale price. The law, if passed, will take effect on July 1, 2016.
For questions and/or comments, please contact Bryan Haynes, at 804.697.1420 or by email.
Georgia Proposes Major Changes to Tobacco Escrow Statute
Posted in State Regulatory
The Georgia House and Senate have both approved a new law that would change nonparticipating manufacturers’ (non-signatories to the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement) responsibilities for making escrow payments for cigarette sales in the state. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature. Continue Reading Georgia Proposes Major Changes to Tobacco Escrow Statute