Bill > SB1698

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations for e-cigarette sales and manufacturing in Texas, focusing on creating a state directory of e-cigarette products and establishing strict compliance requirements. The bill amends existing health and safety codes to prohibit marketing e-cigarettes with packaging that could appeal to minors, such as cartoon characters or images resembling food products, and adds a new provision to prevent manufacturers from concealing the nature of their products or misrepresenting nicotine content. It requires all e-cigarette distributors to register with the state comptroller and mandates that manufacturers annually certify their products, providing detailed information about each e-cigarette, including brand name, flavor, and category, and paying a $2,500 fee. The bill establishes a public directory of approved e-cigarette products, with provisions for removing manufacturers who fail to comply with federal regulations or provide false information. Retailers will be prohibited from selling e-cigarettes not listed in the directory, with potential civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per individual e-cigarette for violations. The legislation also creates criminal offenses for falsely representing product information and includes administrative sanctions like permit suspensions for repeated violations. The bill's implementation is phased, with most requirements taking effect between 2025 and 2026, giving manufacturers and retailers time to adapt to the new regulations.