Like clockwork the past few years the House and Senate have introduced bills that would provide a much needed exemption for Premium Cigars. Earlier this year the Senate introduced S.8 which was introduced by Senator Marco Rubio, and H.R. 1854 follows suit with however it is it not identical and would remove a certain exemption sought by S.8.
The bill currently summarized as “H.R.1854 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the Food and Drug Administration’s jurisdiction over certain tobacco products, and to protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of traditional and premium cigars” would include language that would consider any cigar to contain a flavor additive to not be considered premium and in turn be subject to FDA regulation.
At the time of press the bill currently had 30 sponsors from both sides of the aisle and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
It can be tracked at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1854/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+1854%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1.
