On February 26, 2014, legislators from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa and Massachusetts introduced the federal “Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act.” The legislation would prohibit marketing electronic cigarettes to children.
The FDA’s Regulatory Quagmire – and What it Could Mean for E-Cigarettes and Cigars
Troutman Sanders tobacco practice partner Bryan Haynes was quoted in a February 27th Reason article titled “FDA Cigarette Regulations Protect Big Tobacco, Not Public Health.”
Missouri Reintroduces the Allocable Share Bill After the Arbitration Panel’s Decision on MSA “Diligent Enforcement” Disputes
Missouri, the last remaining state in which nonparticipating manufacturers (“NPMs”) can obtain allocable share releases from their escrow payments, has again introduced legislation to repeal the release mechanism. The bill, House Bill 1242, was introduced on January 8, 2014 and has been referred to and is pending before the House Budget Committee.
Pending FDA Regulation, Lobbyists Push for E-Cigarette Clarity in Washington
Troutman Sanders tobacco team partner Bryan Haynes was quoted in a February 26th NPR article titled “Lobbyists Amp Up Efforts To Sell Washington On E-Cigarettes.”
States Seek to Increase Tobacco Tax Revenue by Taxing E-Cigarettes
Troutman Sanders tobacco team partner Bryan Haynes was quoted in a February 24th Law360 article titled “States Acting Hastily In Pushing E-Cigarette Taxes.”
FDA’s First Order of Not-Substantially-Equivalent for Four Currently Marketed Tobacco Products.
On February 21, 2014, the FDA issued it’s first orders to stop the sale & distribution of tobacco products that are currently on the market, as they were found not substantially equivalent (NSE). FDA’s press release on the subject can be found here.
Troutman Sanders Tobacco Practice Comments on Applicability of FDA New Product Requirements to E-Cigarettes
Troutman Sanders tobacco team partner Bryan Haynes was quoted in a February 20th article titled “E-cig industry on tenterhooks ahead of U.S. regulation.”
The article discusses the heavy cloud of speculation hanging over the rapidly expanding e-cigarette industry as it awaits the release of deeming regulations by the FDA. In addition to concerns over potential advertising restrictions, flavoring bans, and the regulation of internet sales, the article also discusses how regulations could affect this relatively new segment of the tobacco industry when it comes to its rapidly changing product dynamic.
Lawmakers Attempt to Force Electronic Cigarettes into the MSA
On February 12, 2014, congressmen from California, Iowa and Vermont sent a joint letter to the Attorneys General in those states, urging them to classify electronic cigarettes as cigarettes under the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”). The MSA was adopted in 1998 and applies to cigarette and roll-your-own tobacco manufacturers. In the letter, the lawmakers stated that classifying electronic cigarettes as cigarettes would be a “bold step” in the battle against tobacco use.
State Attorneys General Ask to Exclude Tobacco from All Future Trade Agreements
On January 27, 2014, the National Association of Attorney Generals (“NAAG”) sent a letter, signed by 45 state attorneys general, to the United States Trade Representative (the “USTR”), requesting that all future United States trade agreements explicitly provide that they do not apply to tobacco or tobacco products.
Tobacco Law Team Practice Quoted in Convenience Store News Article
Troutman Sanders tobacco team partner Bryan Haynes was quoted in a January 30th Convenience Store News (“CSN”) article titled “Deeming Regulations: ‘The 800-Pound Gorilla.’”