Court Rules State Law Unlawfully Infringes on Federal Authority
A federal judge has blocked nearly all provisions of a new Iowa law (House File 2677) that aimed to restrict the sale of e-cigarette products based on their U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval status. Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose ruled the law likely violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause by improperly attempting to enforce federal regulations.
Read moreA new bill in the Iowa Senate that would impose a state tax on vapor cartridges for electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches is set to be considered by a Senate Committee. The proposed legislation has sparked a debate between those who believe vaping products should be taxed similarly to cigarettes and those who argue that these alternatives are less harmful and should not face the same level of taxation.
Read moreThe implementation of Iowa’s law regulating e-cigarettes and vaping products has been delayed following a lawsuit filed by a group of local businesses called Iowans For Alternatives to Smoking & Tobacco (IFAST) on December 17, 2022. The state agreed to postpone enforcement of the law, which was set to take effect on February 3, 2023.
Read morePlaintiffs Claim PMTA Registry Law Violates US and Iowa Constitutions, Threatens Vape Businesses
Several Iowa vape companies, along with the state’s vaping industry association1, Iowans for Alternatives to Smoking & Tobacco (IFAST)2, have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the implementation of new state laws and regulations. The plaintiffs argue that the recently passed HF 2677, which creates a state registry of FDA-approved vape products, will severely limit what companies like theirs can sell, effectively shutting down most or all specialty vape stores in the state.
Read moreThe Iowa General Assembly has successfully passed HF 2677, a PMTA registry bill that could potentially ban the sale of most vaping products in the state. The bill, which was approved by the House on April 3 and the Senate on April 19 with a vote of 42-4, now awaits Governor Kim Reynolds’ decision to either sign it into law or veto it. Read more