WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations debated the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (“FY 17”). By a voice vote the full Committee passed a bi-partisan bill that included language that would protect premium cigars from proposed FDA regulation.
During the debate, an amendment was offered, and ultimately defeated in a bi-partisan vote of 34 to 14, that would have removed the language proposed last week by the Agriculture Subcommittee prohibiting the use of funds for any effort “to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule” if it applied to traditional large and premium cigars [The April 25, 2014 proposed Deeming Rule, subjecting cigars and other products, to new regulations.]
Cigar Rights of America applauds the passage of the bill and the inclusion of the language protecting premium cigars from unwarranted regulation by FDA. CRA would like to thank both Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), and Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) as well as members of the Appropriations Committee for their leadership in addressing this issue, and for protecting the small business premium cigar manufacturers and retailers of this country as well as protecting the rights of adult consumers of premium cigars.
J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America, stated upon the bill’s passage, “The action taken today by the House Committee on Appropriations is yet another clear indication that Congress never intended to treat premium cigars like other tobacco products.” Loope continued, “this language is a symbol that Congress recognizes the unique differences of premium cigars, and that any effort by FDA to regulate them would run contrary to Congressional intent of the 2009 Tobacco Control Act.”
Cigar Rights of America commends the working partnership with the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association to advance this essential language calling for exemption from federal oversight of the premium cigar industry.
