Bill · S. 5312· Senate(119-S-5312)
PROTECT Act
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- 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
Does this put more money into medical research?+7
The bill authorizes significant funding for research into e-cigarette use and its health impacts.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+6
The bill provides significant funding for research on tobacco product use and delivery technology.
Would children be better off under this?+5
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Native Americans+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+7Increases Medicaid Funding+5Improves Healthcare Access+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+6Increases Public School Funding+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- 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