Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, who is co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Tobacco Committee, is supporting legislation in that state that would impose significant new requirements for nonparticipating manufacturers to the Master Settlement Agreement. We understand that the legislation may be used as a model in other states.
FDA Considers Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
Posted in FDA
On March 18, the FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) suggested that the FDA consider banning menthol cigarettes. TPSAC argued that menthol makes people more likely to start smoking and less likely to quit.
Supreme Court Denies Appeal in MSA Challenge
Posted in Significant Cases
On March 7th, the United States Supreme Court denied a challenge by a tobacco manufacturer and smoker to the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
Smokeshop Magazine’s February Edition of Regulation Focus
Posted in Articles and Publications, FDA
In the latest edition of Smokeshop magazine, our Tobacco Practice is featured in their Regulation Focus section titled, “FDA’s New Product Approval Process: An Innovation Chill?”
Lorillard and RJR Lawsuit
Posted in Significant Cases
On Friday, two of the nation’s three largest tobacco companies filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Food and Drug Administration and its commissioner, the Department of Health and Human Services and its secretary, and the director of the federal Center for Tobacco Products.
PM Buyout Lawsuit
Posted in Significant Cases
Last week, Philip Morris filed a federal lawsuit challenging the United States Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) calculation of tobacco buyout assessments under the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (“FETRA”) for fiscal years 2011-2014.