Closing the E-cigarette Advertising Tax Loophole

Since January 1971, traditional tobacco advertising has been banned in the United States. However, this does not apply to electronic cigarettes.

Currently, US law allows manufacturers to apply for federal tax breaks on advertising costs for e-cigarettes. Congress hopes to close this tax loophole.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal have reintroduced the "E-cigarette and Tobacco Advertising Tax Subsidies Repeal Act" (S.464). If passed, this legislation would not make e-cigarette advertising illegal, but it would terminate tax deductions for e-cigarette advertising expenses.

Shahin and Blumenthal first introduced the bill in 2019, but so far it has not received enough support in Congress to be approved.

Reference:

1. Congress aims to close a loophole in advertising regulations for e-cigarettes.

Congress is currently considering the possibility of discontinuing the tax deduction that e-cigarette advertisements on the radio currently enjoy.

Further reading:

The US Senate reintroduces bill on tax-free subsidies for electronic cigarette and tobacco advertisements.

The US Congress will close a "loophole" in tobacco advertising.