Bill Text: TX SB440 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the prohibited distribution of flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing a civil penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-09 - Referred to State Affairs [SB440 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB440-Introduced.html
  87R1895 SRA-F
 
  By: Blanco S.B. No. 440
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prohibited distribution of flavored cigarettes,
  e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER I. FLAVORED CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, AND
  TOBACCO PRODUCTS
         Sec. 161.095.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section
  154.001, Tax Code.
               (2)  "E-cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section
  161.081.
               (3)  "Hookah" means a type of water pipe with a long
  flexible tube for drawing aerosol through water and used to smoke
  shisha tobacco products or other tobacco products.
               (4)  "Loose leaf tobacco" means cut or shredded pipe
  tobacco that is usually sold in a pouch. The term does not include
  tobacco product that, because of its appearance, type, packaging,
  or labeling, is suitable for use and likely to be offered to or
  purchased by a consumer as tobacco for making cigarettes. 
               (5)  "Premium cigar" means any cigar that:
                     (A)  is handmade; 
                     (B)  is capped by hand; 
                     (C)  is not mass produced by a machine;
                     (D)  has a wrapper made entirely from whole leaf
  tobacco;
                     (E)  has a wholesale price of not less than $12;
  and 
                     (F)  does not have a filter, tip, or nontobacco
  mouthpiece.
               (6)  "Shisha tobacco product" means a tobacco product
  smoked or intended to be smoked in a hookah. 
               (7)  "Tobacco product" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 155.001, Tax Code.
         Sec. 161.096.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter
  does not apply to:
               (1)  a shisha tobacco product that imparts a
  distinguishable taste or aroma other than the taste or aroma of
  tobacco by a person who is engaged in the retail sale of shisha
  tobacco products, hookahs, and hookah smoking accessories;
               (2)  a premium cigar; or
               (3)  loose leaf tobacco.
         Sec. 161.097.  PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION OF FLAVORED
  CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS. A person may not
  sell, give, or cause to be sold or given a cigarette, e-cigarette,
  or tobacco product with a distinguishable taste or aroma other than
  the taste or aroma of tobacco, including the aroma or taste of:
               (1)  an alcoholic beverage;
               (2)  candy;
               (3)  chocolate or vanilla;
               (4)  fruit;
               (5)  an herb or spice;
               (6)  honey;
               (7)  menthol; or
               (8)  mint or wintergreen.
         Sec. 161.098.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who violates
  Section 161.097 is liable to this state for a civil penalty of $250
  for each violation.
         (b)  The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty. 
         (c)  The attorney general shall file an action under this
  section in a district court in Travis County or the county in which
  the violation occurred.
         (d)  The attorney general may recover reasonable expenses
  incurred in obtaining a civil penalty under this section, including
  court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs,
  witness fees, and deposition expenses.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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