Pennsylvania House Advances Harmful “PMTA Registry” Bill — Here’s What You Need to Know

A dangerous piece of legislation is making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature — and if you care about consumer choice, small businesses, or superior alternatives to combustible cigarettes, you need to pay attention. 

Update 6/20/25:

We expect a critical measure to be called to the floor in the PA House early next week.

This could directly impact your business, your rights, and the future of vaping in our state. Stay alert — we need all eyes on Harrisburg.

Get ready to take action.

House Bill 1425, known to consumer advocates as the “PMTA Registry” bill, has just passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is now headed for a full vote in the Pennsylvania House. If enacted, HB 1425 would deputize the state of Pennsylvania as an enforcement arm for both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, perhaps more concerningly, the cigarette industry itself. 

Fill out the VTA Call to Action here.

This bill is being marketed as a regulatory measure — but let’s be honest about what it really does: 

✅ It hands enforcement authority to the state, allowing it to penalize retailers for selling products that the FDA hasn't officially authorized (despite years-long delays and inconsistencies in the FDA process). 

❌ It doesn’t improve public health. 

❌ It doesn’t target youth access. 

❌ It doesn’t address the illicit market that continues to flourish outside of any regulation. 

Instead, HB 1425 will shutter independent vape shops, leave hundreds of Pennsylvanians without jobs, and rip alternative nicotine products out of the hands of adults trying to stay away from cigarettes. 

What’s more — and here’s the kicker — the only products that would be allowed to stay on shelves are those made by Big Tobacco companies like RJ Reynolds and Altria. That’s no accident. These companies are backing legislation like HB 1425 across the country to remove competition and protect their own market share — all while pretending it’s about “protecting kids.” 

Here’s the reality: 

The FDA has authorized only a handful of tobacco-flavored vaping products, nearly all of which are manufactured by major cigarette companies. 

Over 90% of the vaping market, including popular alternatives that adults rely on to avoid returning to smoking, are stuck in regulatory limbo. 

If HB 1425 passes, thousands of adults in Pennsylvania could lose access to the products they use to stay smoke-free — while combustible cigarettes remain readily available on every corner. 

What Can You Do? 

Please take just a minute to act. CASAA (the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association) has issued an urgent Call to Action to help stop this bill before it’s too late. 

👉 Click here to oppose HB 1425 

Tell your lawmakers that you oppose turning Pennsylvania into Big Tobacco’s private enforcement agency. Urge them to stand up for small businesses, public health, and consumer freedom. 

Let’s be clear: This isn’t just bad policy — it’s a protection racket dressed up as regulation. 

Don’t let Big Tobacco and the FDA write the rules for your future. Stand up. Speak out. Stop HB 1425.