We protect the public by enforcing the provisions of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to ensure that only qualified persons engage in the alcohol beverage industry. Our mission is to ensure a level playing field across the industries we regulate.
TTB Regulated Industries
Regulatory Responsibilities
Our programs are designed to help us enforce the laws regulating alcohol production, importation, and wholesale businesses; tobacco manufacturing and importing businesses; and alcohol labeling and advertising.
The Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) provides for the regulation of those engaged in the alcohol beverage industry, and for the protection of consumers by ensuring the integrity of alcohol products. The FAA Act includes provisions to:
- Require a permit for those who engage in the business as a producer, importer, or wholesaler of alcohol beverages;
- Issue, suspend, and revoke permits; and
- Ensure the integrity of the industry by preventing persons who are not likely to operate in accordance with the law from entering the trade.
The FAA Act provisions:
- Ensure that labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages provide adequate information to the consumer concerning the identity and quality of the product;
- Require that alcohol beverage bottlers and importers must have an approved certificate of label approval (COLA) or an exemption certificate before the product may be sold in the United States; and
- Prevent misleading labeling or advertising that may result in potential consumer deception regarding the product.
The FAA Act includes provisions to preclude unfair trade practices. These provisions:
- Regulate the marketing and promotional practices concerning the sale of alcohol beverages; and
- Regulate practices such as exclusive outlets, tied house arrangements, commercial bribery, and consignment sales.
The Alcohol Beverage Labeling Act mandates that a government health warning statement appear on all alcohol beverages for sale or distribution in the United States.
TTB enforces the provisions under Chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26 of the United States Code). In general TTB deals mainly with the Federal excise taxes on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes and other requirements, such as permits required for engaging in business related to the manufacturing, importation, and other operations involving these products.
TTB does not administer or enforce any laws regulating the age of individuals who can purchase, use, possess, sell, or otherwise deal in tobacco products. Each State government usually enforces any such laws or regulations. You may contact your State government on tobacco laws and the agency that enforces them.
The only law which TTB enforces that relates to the advertising of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes is a prohibition against lottery features and indecent, immoral pictures, print or representation attached to such packages. Refer to section 5723(c) of Title 26 of the United States Code.
For general advertising information related to tobacco products, the Federal Trade Commission may be helpful. The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of Federal antitrust and consumer protection laws.