The House Ways & Means Democratic staff has begun circulating a list of priorities and revenue raisers for the “Human Infrastructure” bill that will be voted on in coming weeks through the reconciliation process that only requires a simple majority (51 votes) in the Senate. This is the first step in this process and unfortunately the committee’s priorities include a $96 billion tobacco tax increase that would likely include both premium cigars and pipe tobacco […]
This morning the PCA (Premium Cigar Association) sent out the following alert… Senator Durbin (D-IL) has reintroduced a massive tobacco tax increase as part of a bill that is otherwise intended to address maternal mortality. Buried within S. 411, the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act (MOMMA’s Act), are changes to the tax code that would treat the entire tobacco industry as cigarettes. The result is an estimated 500—1000% increase on the tax […]
While the cigar industry scored a majored victory on a Federal level in the delay of the substantial equivalence, perhaps a bigger win was the removal of a price in the definition of a premium cigar. However, the state of California which is looking to ban flavored cigars released an amendment to bill SB 793. In the bill is language that defines a premium cigar in part by, ““Premium cigar” means any cigar that is […]
Judge Mehta of US District Court of Washington has issued a ruling that provides a temporary win for the cigar industry. In his 38 page ruling, Judge Mehta ruled, “The court therefore remands the Final Deeming Rule to the FDA to consider developing a streamlined substantial equivalence process for premium cigars. The court further enjoins the FDA from enforcing the premarket review requirements against premium cigars, as those products are defined in the August 2020 […]
The following press release comes from Joshua Habursky, Director Director of Federal Affairs, Premium Cigar Association & J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director, Cigar Rights of America. Every election matters. Every two and four years, we seem to hear that a lot. But this time, it’s really serious, especially if you enjoy, sell or make premium cigars. The premium cigar industry has come too far, made such progress, and has a feeling of momentum in the campaign against […]
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) are pleased that a unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found flaws in the FDA’s Deeming Rule regulating cigars and held that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) did not do necessary work to show an effect of large cigar warning labels on reducing smoking rates. Judge Gregory G. Katsas notes in the opinion, “The […]
Yesterday the House of Representatives passed a resolution that cleared the way for a vote on HR 2339 that is expected to happen today February 28th, 2020. The vote is expected to pass the legislation on to the Senate, however the Office of Management and Budget released a statement against the bill. The letter states, The Administration opposes H.R. 2339. The Administration is encouraged by legislative efforts to protect American youth from the harms of […]
Earlier today The United States House of Representatives voted on HR 866 which provides consideration of the bill HR 2339 which would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act which with respect to the sale and market of tobacco product. This is a bill that would make changes to the cigar industry that will cost jobs, ban online cigar sales, put people out of business and remove free choice from the people. HR 866 […]
The cigar industry scored a win today against the FDA when Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled in their favor over warning label requirements. If the FDA was allowed to create labeling rules, the majority of cigar boxes would have covered with a a warning. In his conclusion Judge Mehta wrote, “The Deeming Rule’s warnings requirement for premium cigars is hereby vacated” before adding, “this portion of the Rule is remanded to the agency for further […]
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets has sent an email to its members denoting the FDA has stated that they are enforcing the Federal Age 21 Purchase Law immediately. The press releases goes on to say… As reported this past week President Trump signed into law a federal government funding bill (U.S. House Bill 1865) that contains a provision raising the legal age to purchase any kind of tobacco product to 21 years of age. […]