On Feb. 28, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019. This bill is a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to address the youth tobacco epidemic, and has been a major priority of ACC's Advocacy efforts since it was introduced in early 2019. Support for its passage was among the top issues addressed during ACC's 2019 Legislative Conference.

Among other provisions, H.R. 2339 bans advertising and sales to those under 21 years old, bans online sales of tobacco products, and bans tobacco flavors, including menthol.

Other provisions in the bill include:

• Requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize its rule mandating graphic health warnings for cigarette packages;
• Extending the FDA regulations on the sale, distribution and use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to all deemed tobacco products, including e-cigarettes;
• Instructing FDA to regulate products containing synthetic nicotine or nicotine that is not made or derived from tobacco;
• Requiring the Federal Trade Commission to issue an annual report to Congress on the domestic sales, advertising and promotional activity of cigarette, cigar, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarette manufacturers;
• Providing funding to provide comprehensive tobacco cessation treatment in Community Health Centers;
• Investing in research to develop and improve cessation strategies;
• Providing funding for outreach to medically underserved areas, updating youth tobacco prevention campaigns, and providing educational materials for health care providers;
• Establishing an excise tax on nicotine manufactured in or imported into the United States.

“The ACC has long been a staunch proponent of efforts to reduce tobacco use by our youth at both the state and national level. The legislation passed today was a major priority of ACC members and we are proud to see Congress take a comprehensive approach to addressing the youth tobacco epidemic in this country,” said ACC Health Affairs Committee Chair Thad Waites, MD, MACC.

Read a summary of the bill.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Dyslipidemia, Prevention, Lipid Metabolism, Smoking

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Tobacco, Tobacco, Smokeless, Tobacco Use Cessation, Tobacco Products, Tobacco Use, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Menthol, Flavoring Agents

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