A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act or the PROTECT Act. It amends the Public Health Service Act to create a Reducing Youth Use of E-Cigarettes Initiative. The initiative is run by the Secretary through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It focuses on conducting research, developing guidance, identifying prevention strategies, and running public education campaigns regarding youth and young adult tobacco use. Finally, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill authorizes significant funding for research into e-cigarette use and its health impacts.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill provides significant funding for research on tobacco product use and delivery technology.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill targets the prevention of tobacco use among youth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 317W(a)(1): This provision directs research into youth and young adult use of electronic cigarettes and emerging tobacco products, including product types, advertising exposure, and cessation behaviors. This is positive because understanding how and why young people use these products helps officials create better solutions for the people.
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Section 317W(a)(3): This provision requires the development and dissemination of guidance for health care providers, schools, and other entities on intervening with and treating youth and young adults who use these products. This is positive because it gives professionals the proper tools to help young people directly.
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Section 317W(a)(6): This provision creates a campaign to reduce tobacco initiation and use by youth and young adults and educate the public on product harms and cessation strategies. This is positive because it directly informs the public and protects youth from health risks.
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Section 317W(a)(7): This provision continues funding through specific programs to health departments and Tribal organizations for preventing youth use and improving access to cessation strategies. This is positive because it provides financial support directly to local communities and Tribal organizations to help addicted individuals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 317W(d): This provision authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the initiative. This might be considered a burden because it requires a large amount of taxpayer money to fund the program.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill targets the prevention of tobacco use among youth. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides resources and guidance to help students quit tobacco use. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The initiative includes specific research and cessation strategies for young adults. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes funding for Tribal organizations to support tobacco prevention.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes significant funding for research into e-cigarette use and its health impacts. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill encourages provider education on cessation services available through the Medicaid program. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The act seeks to improve access to tobacco cessation services for youth and young adults.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides significant funding for research on tobacco product use and delivery technology. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill directs the development of guidance for schools regarding e-cigarette intervention.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the role of the Secretary and CDC in managing tobacco-related public health initiatives. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to make the initiative's strategy available to the public.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon