Earlier this year a slew of bills were submitted that looked to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 years old. One of those bills H.R. 2339 included language that would ban on-line cigar sales as well as ban flavored tobacco within two years after the bill is signed into law.
The bill which currently has 89 sponsors would prohibit retailers from selling all forms of tobacco that weren’t done face to face. According to the bill, “PROHIBITION AGAINST REMOTE RETAIL SALES.—[shall take effect] Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019, the Secretary shall promulgate a final regulation under paragraph (1) prohibiting the retail sale of all tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic nicotine delivery system accessories, other than retail sales through a direct, face-to-face exchange between a retailer and a consumer.”
The bill which is also labeled Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 was introduced by Representative Frank Pallone a New Jersey Democrat and is competing with a bill that would only raise the age of smoking to 21. That bill was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell. The Republican’s bill would leave online tobacco sales alone.
Glynn Loope of the Cigar Rights of America reached out to us to let us know the bill now goes to the full committee, where there will be additional amendments. Adding that according to today’s hearing notes, Rep. Pallone pledged to work with Rep. Kathy Castor and Rep. Donna Shalala on premium cigar protection language.
HR 2339 on Scribd
