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Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Chapter 36 — Cigarette Labeling and Advertising

§ 1332. Definitions

Statutory text

As used in this chapter—

(1)

The term “cigarette” means—

(A)

any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco, and

(B)

any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in subparagraph (A).

(2)

The term “commerce” means (A) commerce between any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island and any place outside thereof; (B) commerce between points in any state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island, but through any place outside thereof; or (C) commerce wholly within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island.

(3)

The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, and Johnston Island. The term “State” includes any political division of any State.

(4)

The term “package” means a pack, box, carton, or container of any kind in which cigarettes are offered for sale, sold, or otherwise distributed to consumers.

(5)

The term “person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, or any other business or legal entity.

(6)

The term “sale or distribution” includes sampling or any other distribution not for sale.

(7)

The term “little cigar” means any roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or any substance containing tobacco (other than any roll of tobacco which is a cigarette within the meaning of subsection (1)) and as to which one thousand units weigh not more than three pounds.

(8)

The term “brand style” means a variety of cigarettes distinguished by the tobacco used, tar and nicotine content, flavoring used, size of the cigarette, filtration on the cigarette, or packaging.

(9)

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act

    Pub. L. 89–92 § 3 · 79 Stat. 282

    Enacted · 15 U.S.C. § 1332

    Pub. L. 89–92, § 3, July 27, 1965, 79 Stat. 282

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Pub. L. 89–92, § 3, July 27, 1965, 79 Stat. 282

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    Sec. 3. definitions As used in this Act— (1) The term “cigarette” means— (A) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not Containing tobacco, and (B) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in subparagraph (A). (2) The term “commerce” means (A) commerce between any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island and any place outside thereof; (B) commerce between points in any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island, but through any place outside thereof; or (C) commerce wholly within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island. (3) The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island. Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, and Johnston Island. (4) The term “package” means a pack, box, carton, or container of any kind in which cigarettes are offered for sale, sold, or otherwise distributed to consumers. (5) The term “person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, or any other business or legal entity. (6) The term “Bale or distribution” includes sampling or any other distribution not for sale.

  2. Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969

    Pub. L. 91–222 § 2 · 84 Stat. 87

    Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 1332(3)

    Pub. L. 91–222 inserted provisions defining “State”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (3). Pub. L. 91–222 inserted provisions defining “State”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    Sec. 2. Sections 2 through 10 of Public Law 89–92 (15 U.S.C. 1331–1338) are amended to read as follows: 79 Stat. 282. 15 USC 1331–1339. “Sec. 2. “declaration of policy It is the policy of the Congress, and the purpose of this Act, to establish a comprehensive Federal program to deal with cigarette labeling and advertising with respect to any relationship lie tween smoking and health, whereby— “(1) the public may be adequately informed that cigarette smoking may be hazardous to health by inclusion of a warning to that effect on each package of cigarettes: and “(2) commerce and the national economy may be (A) protected to the maximum extent consistent with this declared policy and (B) not impeded by diverse, nonuniform, and confusing cigarette labeling and advertising regulations with respect to any relationship between snicking and health. “Sec. 3. “definitions As used in this Act— “(1) The term ‘cigarette’ means— “(A) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco, and “(B) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette describedin subparagraph (A). “(2) The term ‘commerce’ means (A) commerce between any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island and any place outside thereof; (B) commerce between points in any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Mid-way Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island, but through any place outside thereof; or (C) commerce wholly within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island. “(3) The term ‘United States’, when used in a geographical sense, includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, and Johnston Island. The term ‘State’ includes any political division of any State, “(4) The term ‘package’ means a pack, box, carton, or container of any kind in which cigarettes are offered for sale, sold, or otherwise distributed to consumers. “(5) The term ‘person’ means an individual, partnership, corporation, or any other business or legal entity. “(6) The term ‘sale or distribution’ includes sampling or any other distribution not for sale. “Sec. 4. “labeling It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, import, or package for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes the package of which fails to bear the following statement: ‘Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health’. Such statement shall be located in a conspicuous place on every cigarette package and shall appear in conspicuous and legible type in contrast by typography, layout, or color with other printed matter on the package. “Sec. 5. “preemption (a) No statement relating to smoking and health, other than the statement required by section 4 of this Act, shall be required on any cigarette package. “(b) No requirement or prohibition based on smoking and health shall be imposed under State law with respect to the advertising or promotion of any cigarettes the packages of which are labeled in conformity with the provisions of this Act. “Sec. 6. “unlawful advertisements After January 1, 1971, it shall be unlawful to advertise Termination date. cigarettes on any medium of electronic communication subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. “Sec. 7. “federal trade commission (a) The Federal Trade Commission shall not take any action before July 1, 1971, with respect to its pending trade regulation rule proceeding relating to cigarette advertising. If at any time Notification of Congress. on or after July 1, 1971, the Federal Trade (Commission determines it is necessary to take action with respect to such pending trade regulation rule proceeding, it shall notify the Congress of the determination. Such notification shall include the text of the trade regulation rule and a full statement of the basis for such determination. No trade Trade regulation effective date. regulation rule adopted in such proceeding may take effect until six months after the Commission has notified the Congress of the text of such rule, in order that, the Congress may act if it so desires. “(b) Except as provided in subsection (a), nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, restrict, expand, or otherwise affect the authority of the Federal Trade Commission with respect to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the advertising of cigarettes. “(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affirm or deny the Federal Trade Commission’s holding that it has the authority to issue trade regulation rules or to require an affirmative statement in any cigarette advertisement. “Sec. 8. “reports (a) The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall Report to Congress. transmit a report to the Congress not later than January 1, 1971, and annually thereafter, concerning (A) current information in the health consequences of smoking, and (B) such recommendations for legislation as he may deem appropriate. “(b) The Federal Trade Commission shall transmit a report to the Report to Congress. Congress not later than January 1, 1971, and annually thereafter, concerning (A) the effectiveness of cigarette labeling, (B) current practices and methods of cigarette advertising and promotion, and (C) such recommendations for legislation as it may deem appropriate. “Sec. 9. “criminal penalty Any person who violates the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall on conviction thereof be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000. “Sec. 10. “injunction proceedings The several district courts of the United States are invested with jurisdiction, for cause shown, to prevent and rest ram violations of this Act upon the application of the Attorney General of the United States acting through the several United States attorneys in their several districts. “Sec. 11. “cigarettes for export Packages of cigarettes manufactured, imported, or packaged Exemption. (1) for export from the United States or (2) for delivery to a vessel or aircraft, as supplies, for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States shall be exempt from the requirements of this Act, but such exemptions shall not apply to cigarettes manufactured, imported, or packaged for sale or distribution to members or units of the Armed Forces of the United States located outside of the United States. “Sec. 12. “separability If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other provisions of this Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.”

  3. Little Cigar Act of 1973

    Pub. L. 93–109 § 2 · 87 Stat. 352

    Added · 15 U.S.C. § 1332(7)

    Pub. L. 93–109 added subsec. (7)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (7). Pub. L. 93–109 added subsec. (7).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    Sec. 2. Section 3 of the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising 79 Stat. 282. 84 Stat. 87. Act (15 U.S.C. 1331–1340) as amended by the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969 is amended by inserting the following new subsection: “(7) The term ‘little cigar means any roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or any substance containing tobacco (other than any roll of tobacco which is a cigarette within the meaning of subsection (1)) and as to which one thousand units weigh not more than three pounds.”

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 93–109, § 4, Sept. 21, 1973, 87 Stat. 352, provided that: “The amendment made by this Act [amending this section and section 1335 of this title] shall become effective thirty days after the date of enactment [Sept. 21, 1973].”

  4. Comprehensive Smoking Education Act

    Pub. L. 98–474 § 6(b) · 98 Stat. 2200

    Added · 15 U.S.C. § 1332(8)

    Pub. L. 98–474 added par. (8)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (8). Pub. L. 98–474 added par. (8).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Section 3 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 1332) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(8) The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.”.

  5. Nurse Education Amendments of 1985

    Pub. L. 99–92 § 11(b) · 99 Stat. 393

    1. Added · 15 U.S.C. § 1332(8); 15 U.S.C. § 1332(9)

      Pub. L. 99–92 added par. (8)

    2. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 1332(8); 15 U.S.C. § 1332(9)

      Pub. L. 99–92 redesignated former par. (8) as (9)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pars. (8), (9). Pub. L. 99–92 added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Definition.— Section 3 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 1332) is amended 98 Stat. 2204. by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9) and by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: “(8) The term ‘brand style’ means a variety of cigarettes distinguished by the tobacco used, tar and nicotine content, flavoring used, size of the cigarette, filtration on the cigarette, or packaging.”.

6 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Amendments1970–1985 · 4 rounds

1985

Pars. (8), (9). Pub. L. 99–92 added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

1984

Par. (8). Pub. L. 98–474 added par. (8).

1973

Subsec. (7). Pub. L. 93–109 added subsec. (7).

1970

Subsec. (3). Pub. L. 91–222 inserted provisions defining “State”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1973 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–109, § 4, , 87 Stat. 352, provided that: “The amendment made by this Act [amending this section and section 1335 of this title] shall become effective thirty days after the date of enactment [].”

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–222 effective , except where otherwise specified, see section 3 of Pub. L. 91–222, set out in part as a note under section 1331 of this title.

Credits

1965–1985 · 5 acts
  1. 1965Pub. L. 89–92, § 3, , 79 Stat. 282
  2. 1970Pub. L. 91–222, § 2, , 84 Stat. 88
  3. 1973Pub. L. 93–109, § 2, , 87 Stat. 352
  4. 1984Pub. L. 98–474, § 6(b), , 98 Stat. 2204
  5. 1985Pub. L. 99–92, § 11(b), , 99 Stat. 403.
Show as published

(Pub. L. 89–92, § 3, , 79 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 91–222, § 2, , 84 Stat. 88; Pub. L. 93–109, § 2, , 87 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 98–474, § 6(b), , 98 Stat. 2204; Pub. L. 99–92, § 11(b), , 99 Stat. 403.)

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