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HR 1250 101th Congress House Commerce Advertising Billboards Carbon monoxide Child health Cigarettes Consumer protection Federal preemption Medical research Outdoor advertising Research Sales promotion Signs and signboards Smoking Smoking and youth Sports facilities Tobacco Tobacco industry Vending machines

Protect Our Children from Cigarettes Act of 1989

Introduced: March 2, 1989 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 25, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 13, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.
Mar 13, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Mar 2, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 2, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protect Our Children from Cigarettes Act of 1989 - Prohibits consumer sales promotion of any tobacco product if it is or may be seen or heard by any person under age 18.

Excepts from this prohibition certain text-only advertisements which: (1) are placed in newspapers, magazines, and other publications and on signs or billboards not located in a sports stadium or other sports facility; and (2) are limited to specified information, including levels of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide.

Sets forth the relationship of this Act to: (1) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority; and (2) State and local regulations.

Prohibits vending machine sales of tobacco products in any place in which a person under 18 may lawfully enter. Requires conspicuous signs stating that cigarette sales to minors are strictly prohibited in any such places which have over-the-counter sales.

Deems violations of the advertising and vending machine prohibitions violations of specified provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows civil actions for damages and other legal and equitable relief from such violations in appropriate State courts and Federal district courts. Requires awarding of legal fees to prevailing plaintiffs.

Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the FTC to arrange for a continuous independent study of the constituents of tobacco smoke, and to report annually to the Congress on its results.

What's happening now July 25, 1989

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1250: Protect Our Children from Cigarettes Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1250/
MLA
"H.R. 1250: Protect Our Children from Cigarettes Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1250/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1250, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1250/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1250: Protect Our Children from Cigarettes Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1250/)
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