Title 21 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - TOBACCO PRODUCTS › § 387a–1
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must publish a final rule about cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the Federal Register on the first Federal Register day that is at least 180 days after June 22, 2009. That rule will count as issued under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and as already following rulemaking procedures. The rule will mostly match the regulations at 61 Fed. Reg. 44615–44618 (August 28, 1996) but with changes: updated jurisdiction rules; removal of the Labels Subpart C and one related section; replacement of some definitions with the ones in section 900 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; addition of roll-your-own paper to the covered items; possible changes to one advertising rule to reflect First Amendment case law, including Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Reilly (533 U.S. 525 (2001)); and it will take effect one year after June 22, 2009. The rule also bans free samples of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other tobacco products except that smokeless tobacco samples may be given only in a tightly limited “qualified adult-only facility” (requirements include checking government photo ID for age, no alcohol on site, not next to youth-focused areas, a temporary enclosed area with opaque barriers and limited exterior signs). Samples taken out must be one package per adult per day, no more than 0.53 ounces (15 grams) total, and no more than 8 individual portions if portions are used. No free samples may be given to sports teams or at sporting or entertainment events listed (including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey) or as the Secretary decides. The Secretary must run a compliance program and report to Congress not later than 18 months after the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was enacted. Nothing allows giving samples to anyone under the legal purchasing age. As of June 22, 2009, the following FDA documents do not count as advisory opinions under 21 C.F.R. 10.85(d)(1) and cannot be cited by HHS or FDA as binding precedent except where they apply to tobacco products: the August 11, 1995 preamble to the proposed rule on restricting sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (60 Fed. Reg. 41314–41372); the August 11, 1995 document titled about nicotine being a drug and these products being nicotine delivery devices (60 Fed. Reg. 41453–41787); the August 28, 1996 preamble to the final rule on restricting sale and distribution (61 Fed. Reg. 44396–44615); and the August 28, 1996 jurisdictional determination on nicotine and tobacco (61 Fed. Reg. 44619–45318).
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Food and Drugs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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21 U.S.C. § 387a–1
Title 21 — Food and Drugs
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73