HB373 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

E-cigarettes, advertising, certain warnings required, penalties

Summary

HB373 would require nicotine warnings on e-cigarette advertising and establish criminal penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires all e-cigarette advertising to carry a clear warning that nicotine is present and may be addictive, with specific placement rules for print and radio/TV ads. It creates several carve-outs for online and other media where warnings are not required. Violations that are intentional would be Class A misdemeanors. It also notes that the local-funding requirement rules do not apply because the bill creates a new crime, and it would take effect on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Advertisers and publishers of e-cigarette ads (print, radio/TV, online) who must include warnings or could face penalties
• Online platforms, social media, apps, and websites that host e-cigarette advertising and must implement or navigate the warning requirements and exceptions
• Consumers and the general public who would receive nicotine risk warnings
• Local governments (in context of local-funding rules) though the bill states it creates a new crime and is exempt from the usual local-expenditure requirement

Key Provisions

• Requires printed and broadcast e-cigarette ads to include a warning that nicotine is present and may be addictive
• Defines broad exceptions for certain online and other media placements where warnings are not required (e.g., wearables, short links, unpaid postings, certain text messages, apps)
• Creates a Class A misdemeanor for intentional violations
• States it is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

E-Cigarettes