87R1895 SRA-F     By: Blanco S.B. No. 440       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the prohibited distribution of flavored cigarettes,   e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; 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 CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, AND   TOBACCO PRODUCTS          Sec. 161.095.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section   154.001, Tax Code.                (2)  "E-cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section   161.081.                (3)  "Hookah" means a type of water pipe with a long   flexible tube for drawing aerosol through water and used to smoke   shisha tobacco products or other tobacco products.                (4)  "Loose leaf tobacco" means cut or shredded pipe   tobacco that is usually sold in a pouch. The term does not include   tobacco product that, because of its appearance, type, packaging,   or labeling, is suitable for use and likely to be offered to or   purchased by a consumer as tobacco for making cigarettes.                 (5)  "Premium cigar" means any cigar that:                      (A)  is handmade;                       (B)  is capped by hand;                       (C)  is not mass produced by a machine;                      (D)  has a wrapper made entirely from whole leaf   tobacco;                      (E)  has a wholesale price of not less than $12;   and                       (F)  does not have a filter, tip, or nontobacco   mouthpiece.                (6)  "Shisha tobacco product" means a tobacco product   smoked or intended to be smoked in a hookah.                 (7)  "Tobacco product" has the meaning assigned by   Section 155.001, Tax Code.          Sec. 161.096.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter   does not apply to:                (1)  a shisha tobacco product that imparts a   distinguishable taste or aroma other than the taste or aroma of   tobacco by a person who is engaged in the retail sale of shisha   tobacco products, hookahs, and hookah smoking accessories;                (2)  a premium cigar; or                (3)  loose leaf tobacco.          Sec. 161.097.  PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION OF FLAVORED   CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS. A person may not   sell, give, or cause to be sold or given a cigarette, e-cigarette,   or tobacco product with a distinguishable taste or aroma other than   the taste or aroma of tobacco, including the aroma or taste of:                (1)  an alcoholic beverage;                (2)  candy;                (3)  chocolate or vanilla;                (4)  fruit;                (5)  an herb or spice;                (6)  honey;                (7)  menthol; or                (8)  mint or wintergreen.          Sec. 161.098.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who violates   Section 161.097 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, 2021.