Program News - tobacco control

What's New

The 2009 FDA Law gives the agency authority to regulate products that contain tobacco, but the law doesn't apply to every type of tobacco product. This fact sheet explains which restrictions apply to which tobacco products.

State and local officials can use tobacco retailer licensing to enforce a number of tobacco-related laws and control the location and density of tobacco retailers. This law synopsis provides overviews of innovative local tobacco retailer programs nationwide and shows how this tool can be an effective tobacco control strategy.

We’ve updated our popular booklet on tobacco-related laws with a new supplement explaining restrictions imposed by the new FDA law. Download the booklet and supplement here.

Cities and counties can restrict smoking in all types of multi-unit residences, including apartment buildings and condo complexes. Download TALC’s newly updated model ordinance, now accompanied by a summary and checklist to make it easier to understand the range of policy options available.

In light of the new law giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco, TALC has developed a series of new products with guidelines for drafting laws regulating tobacco marketing, to help states and communities avoid (or survive) a federal legal challenge. 

Local and state governments can help enforce and fill some gaps in the 2009 law giving the FDA more authority to regulate the tobacco industry. A new law review essay by TALC staff explains how local and state tobacco control laws can complement and supplement the FDA law.  

You may also be interested in these other TALC products about the FDA:

A federal court has struck down two provisions of the 2009 law giving the FDA more authority over the tobacco industry, upholding most of the law's other provisions. Read more about the decision and likely next steps.

How can advocates help create policies limiting smoking in housing geared toward low-income residents? Download TALC’s new fact sheet.

State and federal laws limit the free distribution of tobacco products (a practice known as “sampling”), but they do not eliminate it completely. Download our new fact sheet, updated model ordinance, and policy checklist to learn how California communities can close the gaps in these laws.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, the Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC) and the Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing (the Center) hosted a webinar on the new law that gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. Speakers provided a summary of the provisions of the law and the lawsuit brought against it and detailed which tobacco control policies are affected by the law.