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
Posted in Legislation
A bill pending in the Tennessee legislature (SB 3578 / HB 3632) would expand enforcement of escrow obligations.
NAAG Scrutinizes Tribal Sales
Posted in State Regulatory
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.
New Mexico Bill Would More than Double Tobacco Products Taxes, and Perhaps Tax E-Cigarettes
Posted in Legislation
A bill has been introduced in the New Mexico legislature that would more than double the tax rate on OTP — tobacco products other than cigarettes, such as smokeless and cigars — from 25% of the product’s value to 57% of the product’s value.
Proliferation of Remote Sales from Abroad — An Unintended Consequence of the PACT Act?
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
The 2010 Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act imposes a functional ban on remote sales of cigarettes. U.S. Mail cigarette deliveries are now prohibited.
Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee Tables
Posted in Legislation, Significant Cases
Legislation introduced by Delegate Patrick Hope (D – Alexandria) last week, House Bill 160, was tabled by a subcommittee of the House of Delegate’s Finance Committee on Friday.
Virginia Lawmaker Introduces Legislation to Increase Excise Taxes on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
Posted in Legislation
Virginia Delegate Patrick A. Hope of Alexandria recently introduced legislation, House Bill 160, to significantly increase the Virginia excise taxes currently imposed on cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The Institute of Medicine Issues Recommendations for the FDA’s Regulation of MRTPs Under the Tobacco Control Act
Posted in FDA
Acting under the Tobacco Control Act’s mandate and its engagement by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, the Institute of Medicine (“IOM”) recently released its recommended minimum standards for the regulation of modified risk tobacco products (“MRTPs”).
Florida Non-Settling Manufacturer Tax Introduced
Posted in State Regulatory
A bill has been introduced in the Florida legislature that would impose a 52 cent per-pack tax on cigarettes manufactured by companies that have not settled tort claims with the state.
Allocable Share Legislation Introduced in Missouri
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
Missouri, the last remaining state in which nonparticipating manufacturers can obtain allocable share releases from their escrow payments, has again introduced legislation to repeal the release mechanism. The bill, Senate Bill 629, was introduced on January 9th.