Tobacconists’ Association of America, association for industry leading brick and mortar retailers in the premium cigar and pipe industry, has donated $50,000 towards the legal costs associated with the recent joint lawsuit against the FDA’s regulation of premium cigars and pipes. The contribution will be equally split between the IPCPR (International Premium Cigar and Pipes Retailers) and CRA (Cigar Rights of America).
Tiffany Rumbo, owner of Club Humidor in San Antonio, TX and President of the Tobacconists Association of America said, “This lawsuit is a wonderful illustration of the camaraderie and team work that exists within our industry. This action will no doubt be a costly endeavor, and the TAA felt strongly that we needed to be proactive and timely in our financial support of this effort.”
“We are at a critical juncture for the premium cigar industry as we work to understand, comply. and challenge FDA’s regulation of our category. The IPCPR has worked closely with the CAA (Cigar Association of America) and the CRA (Cigar Rights expenses of America) to form a coalition of associations to lead the fight. To have the TAA contribute towards our mounting of protecting the category is a tremendous gift. IPCPR is extremely grateful to the TAA Board of Directors and their entire membership for this gracious contribution to the cause. The dollars will be used on behalf of the entire premium cigar and pipe category as we challenge the onerous regulations before us all.” Craig Cass, owner of Tinder Box in Charlotte, NC and President of the IPCPR
Robert Levin, president of Ashton Cigars, Philadelphia, PA and President of the CRA echoed the same sentiment “It’s another act of unison within the industry to battle this business killing and difficult to comply ruling by the F.D.A. The litigation will be very costly and the CRA appreciates this generous donation by the TAA.”
The TAA’s board of directors approved the donation in a unanimous vote during their Board meeting at the conclusion of the 2016 IPCPR convention in Las Vegas, on July 28, 2016.
About the TAA
Tobacconists’ Association of America was founded in 1968 by six visionary tobacconist to provide an open forum of ideas, strategies, and problem solving between retail tobacconists and vendors to the trade.
