Missouri HB 276: A Threat to Consumer Choice & Small Businesses

Missouri lawmakers are considering HB 276, a bill that would create a vapor products registry, requiring manufacturers to: 

✅ Have an FDA marketing granted order or 

 
✅ Certify that their product was on the market before August 8, 2016, applied for a PMTA by September 9, 2020, and has not received a final decision from the FDA. 

While this bill may appear to be about regulation, its real impact will be limiting consumer access to vapor products, forcing small businesses to close, and restricting superior nicotine options for adult smokers. 

🔗 Read more about HB 276 here: 
Missouri HB 276 – Vapor Product Registry 

📢 Why You Should Oppose HB 276 

🚫 It Enforces FDA’s Flawed Process at the State Level 

✅ The FDA has already failed to process millions of PMTAs fairly and transparently. Many companies that complied with federal regulations are still waiting for decisions, yet Missouri wants to enforce this broken system. 

 
✅ State governments should not be acting as enforcers of the FDA’s inconsistent and arbitrary decisions. 

⚠️ Consumer & Business Impact 

✅ Thousands of adult vapers will lose access to products they rely on as better alternatives to smoking. 

 
✅ Small businesses and vape shops will be forced to close due to a de facto ban on many products, leading to job losses and economic harm. 

 
✅ Creates a monopoly for Big Tobacco, which has the resources to navigate federal regulatory hurdles, unlike independent vape manufacturers. 

📊 The Science Supports Vaping 

📌 Research shows that nicotine vaping is 98-99% less harmful than smoking. 

 
📌 Studies confirm vaping is more effective for quitting smoking than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). 

 
📌 The UK and other nations actively encourage switching to vaping as part of their public health strategy. 

💬 Talking Points for Lawmakers 

Use these points when contacting your representatives: 

📌 "I oppose HB 276 because it unfairly restricts access to alternative nicotine products and forces Missouri to enforce FDA’s broken regulatory process." 

📌 "This bill will put Missouri’s small vape businesses out of business while protecting Big Tobacco’s monopoly." 

📌 "State governments should not act as enforcers of federal agencies, especially when their decisions are inconsistent and scientifically flawed." 

📌 "Vaping has helped millions of adults quit smoking. Don’t make it harder for Missouri residents to choose better alternatives." 

📞 Take Action Now! 

📧 Contact your Missouri state representatives and urge them to vote NO on HB 276. 

 
🔄 Share this information with fellow advocates, business owners, and consumers. 

 
📅 Stay informed on legislative updates and hearings. 

Fill out VTA's Call to Action

Missouri should be protecting adult consumers and consumer choice, not enforcing unnecessary restrictions. 🚨 Act now to stop HB 276!