Since the TAA Convention last month we have heard rumblings that the FDA was close to making a ruling on the deeming regulations that the cigar industry faces. Currently, the FDA has a date of February 15, 2007 for these regulations which would put many companies out of business.
In short, cigars that came to the market before then would be given a free pass, while those after the date would have to apply to have their brands on the market. Some estimate the fees of this could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range.
The FDA has stated they cannot change the date, and will not change the date without an act of congress. Today, that act began the process albeit there are only 4 signatures to the bill that was introduced in the House of Representatives by Republican Tom Cole of Oklahoma.
The new bill H.R. 2058 can be read at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2058/text .
It is important to let your elected officials know you want them to sign on to H.R. 2058, but do so in a constructive manner.
