According to a report by Halfwheel on February 9, Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado is once again pushing for legislation to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in the state. Alvarado introduced the S.B. 1182 bill for consideration on February 7.
Similar to the bill proposed by Alvarado in 2023, this bill aims to prohibit anyone from selling or gifting flavored tobacco products. Flavored tobacco products are defined as products with distinguishable tastes or scents other than the taste of tobacco. This ban not only covers traditional tobacco products but also includes e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, as well as mint-flavored products. There are no exemptions for any type of tobacco products in the bill.
The bill includes a "rebuttable presumption" clause, meaning that if someone publicly declares or claims that a product has a "flavor or aroma other than tobacco flavor or aroma," including using words or images on the product label, the product will be considered a flavored product and prohibited from being sold.
The bill does not prohibit the possession or use of flavored tobacco products. Violators of the proposed ban may face fines and possible suspension of their tobacco sales license. First-time offenders could face fines of up to $1,000, with repeat offenses within two years leading to fines of up to $2,000, and subsequent violations carrying a maximum penalty of $3,000.
If the bill is passed, it will take effect on September 1st. Currently, the bill has not been assigned to any committee for initial debate. Alvarado's bill introduced in 2023 did not make progress in the Senate Committee on National Affairs.
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