Tobacco Products
Report Potential Tobacco Product Violations
Potential Tobacco Product Violations Form
Download the Potential Tobacco Product Violations form to report potential violations of the Tobacco Control Act and other regulations.
More than 80% of established adult smokers begin smoking before age 18, the minimum legal age to purchase these products. New tobacco users are becoming addicted before they are old enough to fully weigh the consequences, including an earlier death from tobacco-related diseases.
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is providing the public and other stakeholders with another option for reporting potential violations of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) and related regulations with its new, downloadable Potential Tobacco Product Violations Reporting form.
By making it easier for everyone to report potential violations, FDA is able to better monitor compliance with the laws, help reduce the health burden of tobacco use on the American public, and protect America’s youth.
Examples of Potential Tobacco Product Violations You Can Report
The Potential Tobacco Product Violations form provides an opportunity for the public and other stakeholders to report a variety of potential tobacco product violations that include, but are not limited to:
- Sales to minors
- Flavored cigarette sales
- Advertising/promotion/marketing restrictions (e.g., Describing the tobacco product as “light,” “mild,” or “low” or claiming that the product is safer or less harmful without an FDA order in effect; distributing t-shirts or other novelty items with the brand name of a cigarette or smokeless tobacco product; and event sponsorship in the brand name of a cigarette or smokeless tobacco product)
- Free samples
- Vending machines in prohibited areas/self-service display/direct access to cigarette or smokeless tobacco
- Sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20
FDA Review
The information provided on the form is reviewed by FDA. FDA evaluates the report and determines what follow-up action, if any, is appropriate. Reports submitted by the public and stakeholders may be helpful in identifying possible violations of the Tobacco Control Act and related regulations that FDA enforces.
Can Reports Be Submitted Anonymously?
Reports can be submitted anonymously; however, reports accompanied by names and contact information are helpful in cases when FDA needs to follow up for more information. All reports to FDA remain private to the extent allowed by law, as explained in FDA’s Privacy Policy. Children's Privacy: We collect no information from children under 13. If a child sends us an email inquiry or comment, we will answer it, and then delete the email from our files.
Other Ways to Report Potential Violations
Other ways to report potential violations of the Tobacco Control Act and related regulations include:
- Calling the Tobacco Call Center using CTP’s toll-free number (1-877-CTP-1373)
- Sending a letter to CTP at AskCTP@fda.hhs.gov
- By mail to FDA Center for Tobacco Products c/o Document Control Center, 9200 Corporate Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850-3229
More Resources
- Tobacco Control Act
- Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco
- Small Business Assistance