88R8311 KKR-D
 
  By: Thierry H.B. No. 1872
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prohibited sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes;
  providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER I. FLAVORED E-CIGARETTES
         Sec. 161.095.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter,
  "e-cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.081.
         Sec. 161.096.  PROHIBITED SALE OF CERTAIN FLAVORED
  E-CIGARETTES. (a) A person may not sell, give, or cause to be sold
  or given an e-cigarette with a distinguishable taste or aroma other
  than the taste or aroma of tobacco or menthol, including the aroma
  or taste of:
               (1)  an alcoholic beverage;
               (2)  candy or dessert;
               (3)  chocolate, cocoa, or vanilla;
               (4)  fruit;
               (5)  an herb or spice;
               (6)  honey; or
               (7)  mint or wintergreen.
         (b)  There is a rebuttable presumption that an e-cigarette
  has a distinguishable taste or aroma prohibited under Subsection
  (a) if a person:
               (1)  makes a public statement or claim that the
  e-cigarette imparts a taste or smell other than the taste or smell
  of tobacco or menthol;
               (2)  uses text or images on the labeling or packaging of
  the e-cigarette to indicate the e-cigarette imparts a taste or
  smell other than the taste or smell of tobacco or menthol; or
               (3)  takes other action directed at consumers that
  would reasonably be expected to cause consumers to believe the
  e-cigarette imparts a taste or smell other than the taste or smell
  of tobacco or menthol.
         Sec. 161.097.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who violates
  Section 161.096 is liable to this state for a civil penalty of $250
  for each violation.
         (b)  The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty. 
         (c)  The attorney general shall file an action under this
  section in a district court in Travis County or the county in which
  the violation occurred.
         (d)  The attorney general may recover reasonable expenses
  incurred in obtaining a civil penalty under this section, including
  court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs,
  witness fees, and deposition expenses.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.