Last month, California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta announced the awardees for the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program, a program spearheaded by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) that aims to support local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce illegal tobacco sales and usage, particularly among minors. Bonta also provided an update on “Operation Up in Smoke,” a comprehensive law enforcement operation targeting illegal tobacco sales. These updates illustrate that California continues to prioritize coordinated law enforcement efforts against businesses that make illegal tobacco sales, particularly to minors.Continue Reading California AG Provides Update on State Tobacco Enforcement Efforts
Bryan Haynes
Bryan Haynes serves clients by developing and implementing creative solutions for complex issues. Specializing in tobacco industry regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, Bryan efficiently assists clients in complying with regulatory obligations and managing risk, consistent with clients’ business objectives.
Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Puff Bar Violated State Consumer Protection Laws
A consumer class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against EVO Brands, LLC and PVG2, LLC, both doing business as Puff Bar. The lawsuit alleges that Puff Bar violated state consumer protection laws by engaging in deceptive marketing practices aimed at youth, and by misleading consumers about the legality and safety of their synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes.Continue Reading Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Puff Bar Violated State Consumer Protection Laws
$11M Cigarette Drawback Dispute Could Have Significant Consequences for FTZ Importers
In August, North Carolina-based cigarette importer, King Maker Marketing Inc., challenged a decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) that rejected its claims for more than $11 million in drawback duties as untimely.Continue Reading $11M Cigarette Drawback Dispute Could Have Significant Consequences for FTZ Importers
FDA to Enforce Cigarette Graphic Warning Rule in December 2025, Pending Litigation May Interfere
In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would begin enforcing the agency’s cigarette graphic warning rule in December 2025, in an enforcement policy outlined in a short guidance document. Although a federal district court previously found the rule unconstitutional, an appeals court reversed that decision, and the final rule is now in effect. According to the guidance, FDA will not begin enforcement until December 2025 at the earliest, but we believe it likely that the rule might yet again be postponed or vacated, as it remains the subject of ongoing litigation.Continue Reading FDA to Enforce Cigarette Graphic Warning Rule in December 2025, Pending Litigation May Interfere
State AGs File Amicus Curae Brief in US Supreme Court Case Involving Flavored E-Cigarettes
Earlier this month, 20 Democratic state attorneys general (AG) filed an amicus brief supporting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) marketing denial orders (MDOs) of premarket tobacco applications (PMTAs) for flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS or e-cigarettes) currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief not only demonstrates which side these states support, but also identifies specific enforcement priorities for these states.Continue Reading State AGs File Amicus Curae Brief in US Supreme Court Case Involving Flavored E-Cigarettes
FDA Proposes Submission Tracking Number Requirement for ENDS Imports
In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new proposed rule that would require importers of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products to provide an FDA-issued submission tracking number (STN) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for imports of such products. This rule could result in the denial of entry for ENDS imports for which the manufacturer has not submitted a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) to FDA.Continue Reading FDA Proposes Submission Tracking Number Requirement for ENDS Imports
New Jersey Issues Notice of Violations and Fines to Retailers Allegedly in Violation of the State’s Flavor Ban
On August 27, the New Jersey Attorney General (AG) and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that the state had issued notices of violation and $4,500 civil penalty demands to 19 retailers across New Jersey for allegedly selling banned flavored vapor products. This is New Jersey’s first public enforcement of the state’s 2020 flavor ban, and New Jersey joins a number of other state AGs taking similar action across the U.S.Continue Reading New Jersey Issues Notice of Violations and Fines to Retailers Allegedly in Violation of the State’s Flavor Ban
Industry Urges SCOTUS to Consider FDA Graphic Cigarette Warnings
In August, a group of tobacco companies filed a petition for certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking review of a lower court’s holding that the First Amendment does not prohibit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packs. As we noted in prior coverage, the March 2020 FDA rule at issue would require new textual health warning statements alongside color, photorealistic images displayed on the top 50% of the front and rear panels of cigarette packs and the top 20% of cigarette advertisements.Continue Reading Industry Urges SCOTUS to Consider FDA Graphic Cigarette Warnings
ATF Rift With California Tribe Could Expand State Authority Over Tribal Tobacco Sales
In June, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) argued in federal court that the federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act requires tribal retailers to obtain state licenses to sell cigarettes on their own reservations. If accepted, ATF’s position would greatly expand the scope of state authority over tribal tobacco sales.Continue Reading ATF Rift With California Tribe Could Expand State Authority Over Tribal Tobacco Sales
Eighth Circuit Decides Case Involving State’s Authority to Regulate Tribal Cigarette Sales
On August 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit decided a case addressing Nebraska’s authority to require tribal cigarette manufacturers that are not parties to the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) to comply with the state’s escrow statute with respect to cigarettes sold in Indian country. See HCI Distrib., Inc. v. Peterson, No. 23-2311 (8th Cir., Aug. 2, 2024).Continue Reading Eighth Circuit Decides Case Involving State’s Authority to Regulate Tribal Cigarette Sales