The commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, announced Tuesday that he is resigning the position he has held or two years effective in one month. He has not yet given a reason for his departure but in a statement via Twitter he said, “I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to help lead this wonderful agency, for the support of my colleagues, for the public health goals we advanced together, and the strong support of @SecAzar […]
Yesterday, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) reintroduced legislation in the United States Senate that would exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation. Joining Senator Rubio in co-sponsoring this bipartisan bill were Senators Corey Gardner (R-CO), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Joni Ernst (R-IA). This legislation was just the ninth bill filed in the Senate in the new 116th Congress. This morning, Fox 13 News visited J.C. Newman Cigar Company’s historic cigar factory […]
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 A new report by Mangum Economics updates the out-of-date economic analysis of the Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) regulation of premium handmade cigars, and estimates the number of U.S. jobs that will be lost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 […]
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 […]
On July 26th, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., spoke from the Senate Floor in defense of the Premium Cigar industry. In his remarks, the Senator laid out the uniqueness of the premium cigar industry and the existential threat facing small businesses, including the J.C. Newman factory in Ybor City, Fla. if current FDA regulations are left unabated. The video of the speech can be seen via the C-Span website at: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4742275/sen-rubio-cigar-speech-july-26-2018 In a statement, IPCPR applauded Senator […]
The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (“IPCPR”) and Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”) filed a joint comment in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing review of how it should define and treat premium cigars. This process, known as an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – marked a major milestone for premium cigar retailers, manufacturers, consumers and the industry at large. It was an opportunity for IPCPR, CRA and other stakeholders […]
From Drew Newman, General Counsel of J.C. Newman Cigar Co, It seems only fitting that the day after our country celebrated America’s independence a federal court has stepped in to help preserve the right of American adults to enjoy a fine, handcrafted cigar. We are extremely pleased that Judge Mehta has delayed the implementation of the FDA’s new massive cigar warning labels indefinitely until the courts have a chance to decide their constitutionality. Particularly in light […]