NATO, FDA Continue Dialogue at the NATO Show
During the recent NATO Show, representatives from NATO and the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products participated in a panel discussion that covered numerous regulatory topics. The panel members included Mitch Zeller, the Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Ann Simoneau, the Director of the agency’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement, NATO board member [Full Story]
NATO Honors Retailers and Manufacturers
Each year at the NATO Annual Awards Dinner which is held in conjunction with the NATO Show, the association presents the NATO Pinnacle Awards to those retailers and manufacturers that have demonstrated extraordinary support for NATO and direct involvement in tobacco legislative issues. This year, NATO recognized retailers Dick Stephens of S & S Candy [Full Story]
Supreme Court Doesn’t Accept Appeal of First Graphic Warning Lawsuit
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it did not accept the appeal of the federal Sixth Circuit Court’s decision that upheld the FDA rule requiring graphic warning labels on cigarette packages and advertisements as well as other restrictions on cigarette, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco promotions. While the industry filed two lawsuits against [Full Story]
U.S. Senators Introduce Federal Cigarette and OTP Tax Bill
On Friday, April 26, 2013, four U.S. Senators introduced a bill called the “Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act” that would implement reforms to respond to illegal tobacco trafficking, tax all tobacco products on a parity with the federal cigarette tax, and raise the federal tax on all tobacco products by 93%. This proposed tax increase [Full Story]
U.S. Representative Introduces Bill to Raise Federal Cigarette Tax
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) has introduced House Bill No. HR 1578 in the U.S. House of Representatives that would increase the federal cigarette tax by $.04 per pack beginning January 1, 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2023 to provide additional funding so that more individuals can enroll under the pre-existing condition insurance program as established [Full Story]
State Legislative Update
Update on key state tobacco-related legislation that seeks to increase cigarette and/or tobacco tax rates. Arkansas: House Bill No. 1531 was passed and signed into law setting a maximum tax cap of $.50 per cigar. Connecticut: House Bill No. 5878 that would have increased the cigarette tax by $.95 per pack failed after not meeting [Full Story]
