Federal Tobacco  Regulations
graphic image of government building

In 1992 Congress passed section 1926 of the Public Health Service Act, (known as the Synar Amendment), that prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors. Then in 1996, the FDA determined that nicotine is a drug and that cigaretees and smokeless toacco are drug delivery ssytems. This finding resulted in the passage of a number of restrictions on cigarette and smokeless tobacco sales and advertising that were in effect from February 1997 through March 21, 2000.

On March 21, 2000 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the FDA did not have the authority to regulate tobacco. At that time all FDA-specific acitivities (primarily FDA-funded retail compliance checks) ceased.

It is important to note that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling does not impact existing Utah state laws that prohibit the illegal sell of tobacco to persons under 19 years of age.

Currently the Synar Amendment is the primary Federal regulation oriented towards reducing youth access to tobacco. 

For more information visit the following sites:

 
The Synar Amendment
The FDA Regulations
Utah Tobacco Laws
How to Report Violations of Tobacco Laws
Retailer Education 
State and Local Tobacco Prevention and Control Contacts