S-3174 : Still Just a Bill

Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019

This bill revises requirements related to the safety, sale, and advertisement of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens).

Among other requirements, the bill

• requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement regulations to require color graphics on the labeling of cigarette packages, depicting the negative health consequences of smoking;
• requires the FDA to apply regulations on tobacco products to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes;
• prohibits the retail online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems;
• prohibits flavors other than tobacco in a tobacco product;
• prohibits the use of flavored products in an electronic nicotine delivery system, except in specified circumstances;
• increases the user fees that the FDA collects from manufacturers and importers;
• directs the FDA to regulate products containing synthetic nicotine (not made or derived from tobacco);
• establishes a demonstration grant program to develop strategies for smoking cessation in medically underserved communities;
• increases civil penalties for certain violations of restrictions on the sale of tobacco products; and
• requires the Government Accountability Office to study e-cigarettes.