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H.R.1261 / 111th Congress

Youth Prevention and Tobacco Harm Reduction Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 3, 2009

Youth Prevention and Tobacco Harm Reduction Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Tobacco Harm Reduction Center within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Gives the Center's Administrator the authority to regulate tobacco products, including through disclosure, registration, and inspection.

Sets forth criteria by which tobacco products are deemed adulterated or misbranded and prohibits the introduction or receipt of any such product in interstate commerce.

Prohibits any person from using certain descriptors on packaging or advertising of any cigarette brand style. Allows the Administrator to adopt additional smoking article standards as appropriate to protect the public health.

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Sets forth provisions governing cigarette tar yield limits.

Prohibits the Administrator from: (1) banning specific classes of tobacco products; (2) requiring the reduction of tar or nicotine yields to zero; or (3) establishing a minimum age of sale of smoking articles to any person older than 18.

Requires premarket approval of all new tobacco products.

Sets forth standards for the sale of modified risk tobacco products.

Directs the Administrator to establish the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.

Revises tobacco product warning labels and advertising requirements. Requires the Administrator to establish standards requiring tobacco product manufacturers to publicly disclose a list of ingredients in each brand style.

Directs the Administrator to study and report on illicit trade in tobacco products.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit substance abuse funds for states that do not have in effect a statute setting forth specific provisions to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors.

Directs the Administrator to establish standards and procedures for ranking tobacco products based on the relative risks of serious or chronic tobacco-related diseases and adverse health conditions.

Declares that no provision in this Act shall allow any person to require changes to traditional farming practices.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Buyer, Steve [R-IN-4] · R–IN

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
29 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1261 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1261 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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