PROTECT Act

Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act or the PROTECT Act

This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a strategy and carry out a specific initiative to prevent and reduce the use of electronic cigarettes and emerging tobacco products among youth and young adults.

As part of the initiative, the CDC must

• conduct research and surveillance on types of products, patterns of use, health impacts, and other aspects of the use of such products by youth and young adults;
• evaluate prevention and intervention strategies and develop guidance for intervening and treating youth and young adults who use such products;
• identify effective messaging and communication efforts and implement a national public education campaign concerning the use of such products; and
• continue to fund grants for tobacco control programs in health departments, including efforts to prevent and reduce the use of such products by youth and young adults.