Connecticut State Representative Jason Perillo (R-113th District) recently introduced House Bill 5139 (“HB 5139) which would remove the prohibition and allow for the expansion of cigar bars in the state. HB 5139 is a piece of common sense legislation that seeks to not only promote the creation of small businesses premium cigar bars, but also allows those premium cigar bars already in operation the ability to operate their businesses in a friendly economic environment. Take action […]
On January 3rd, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of January 9th, 2019 the bill has 10 co-sponsors including: Sen. Gardner, Cory (R-CO), Sen. Manchin, Joe, III (D-WV), Sen. Cotton, Tom (R-AR), Sen. Menendez, Robert (D-NJ), Sen. Ernst, Joni (R-IA), Sen. Barrasso, John (R-WY), Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. (D-PA), Sen. Inhofe, James M. (R-OK), Sen. Kennedy, John […]
Senator Oley Larson (R-Minot) has introduced a bill in the North Dakota Legislator that would allow cigar smoking in cigar bars, according to a report by Prairie Broadcasting System. The bill would only allow the smoking of cigars if of 10 percent or more of the gross annual income is generated from the sale of cigars. According to the report, the bill has been introduced on behalf of a constituent of Minot. The Senator went […]
Beginning on January 16th the toughest outdoor smoking ban in the USA is set to begin in the Garden State. The new law was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy despite former Governor Chris Christie refusing to sign it throughout his tenure as the Governor. The new law will make it illegal to smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, and smokeless tobacco devices on beaches and boardwalks in the state of New Jersey In addition is will also […]
The following is a press release submitted by the Cigar Rights of America. A new report by Mangum Economics updates the out-of-date economic analysis of the Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) regulation of premium handmade cigars, and estimates the number of U.S. jobs that will be lost because of the regulations. The report uses FDA’s own assumptions about the effects of the regulations and updates the calculations to use more recent government data. It also […]
Earlier today, the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that he “seek[s] to advance” several new and sweeping policies related to flavored vapor products, flavored cigars, and combusted menthol tobacco products, including cigarettes. As a continuing service to our members, IPCPR has provided a quick breakdown of what the Commissioner said, and how it might impact our retailer members. What the FDA Commissioner said: Vapor Products Create a prohibition on the […]
Today, November 15th, 2017 FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb issued a statement calling for a ban on flavored cigars among other things. Below is the full text of his statement: As a physician who cared for hospitalized cancer patients, I saw first-hand the devastation that smoking-related diseases had wrought on the lives of patients and their families, and dedicated myself to helping ease this suffering. As a cancer survivor myself, I understand too well the […]
Yesterday, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products announced an amended fee structure for their Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP). CMPs are the scaled financial penalties FDA issued to retailers found in violation of current regulations or requirements. A Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Complaint is used to initiate an administrative legal action against a retailer that can result in a monetary penalty, called a Civil Money Penalty. The Tobacco Control Act provides that the amount of a […]
Last week, the FDA held a conference on tobacco regulation. The agency invited Drew Newman, J.C. Newman’s general counsel, and a fourth-generation cigar maker, to address the conference on behalf of the premium cigar industry and respond to questions from the audience. In his speech, Drew explained that “premium cigars are an old-world, handmade craft enjoyed by adults.” “It is not a science,” he said. “It’s an art, and the tradition has been passed down […]
On June 25th, Altria Group the parent company of Nat Sherman submitted a letter to FDA on behalf of Nat Sherman and the other brands they own asking the FDA to not provide an exemption for premium cigars. The company which posted a revenue of over 25 billion in 2017 has made it clear they are against the small Mom & Pop companies that make up the premium cigars industry. If you listen to The […]