Today, the FDA issued the revised guidance, “Registration and Product Listing for Owners and Operators of Domestic Tobacco Product Establishments.” In the initial revised guidance issued in July of this year, U.S. manufacturers of newly regulated products faced a deadline of December 31, 2016 for compliance with the registration and product listing requirements of section 905 of the Tobacco Control Act. The guidance has been revised again to clarify that for U.S. manufacturers of newly […]
There was hope that the cigar industry would receive a Hail Mary when earlier this year, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that provided an exemption for premium cigars from the over-reach of the FDA. However, in a bill proposal last night that will fund the U.S. Government until the spring of 2017 the language that would have provided safe passage for premium cigars was stripped from the bill. The bill will fund the […]
Is President Trump Going to be good for Cigar Smokers…. it looks that way! The Trump Administration Transition would be calling for a “temporary moratorium on all new regulations.” Stay tuned for possible good news. Here are just some of the reasons it looks that way… see if you agree. Vice President-Elect Mike Pence is a past co-sponsor of the Premium Cigar Exemption legislation, when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Georgia Congressman […]
According to the Cigar Rights of America, the FDA has withdrawn its Final Rule regarding the procedures for refusing to accept premarket tobacco products submissions. In a letter to its stakeholders the CRA states: In our continuing effort to keep you informed of actions and communications from or about the U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Center for Tobacco Products, please see the announcement below. Today, the FDA posted in their advanced Federal Register notice […]
The FDA has forced the hand of Jose Blanco. Citing the uncertainty of the FDA Ruling, Jose Blanco has accepted a role with the company owned by Ernesto Perez Carrillo. That role is Senior Vice President. According to Jose Blanco the brands under his company Las Cumbres which was formed in 2014 will be handled by his wife Emma Viktorsson. Blanco stated exclusively to The Cigar Authority, “Emma will manage it all – we have […]
PLEASE… stop asking that question… The Cuban Embargo is NOT Over, but there has been yet another kick in the cojones for American businesses and the creation of an unfair playing field, if you ask me. Americans traveling abroad can now return with all the Cuban cigars and Cuban rum they want and they don’t go through any of the same pesky regulations and taxation that all other cigars have to go through. This “free […]
In a letter sent to retailers, Rocky Patel has announced a price increase due to the new FDA regulations. The letter which was sent late yesterday states, “Due to rising costs associated with the Food and Drug Administration we are announcing the following price increase on our brands. Effective November 15, 2016, we will be taking a 5% price increase on all Rocky Patel Branded Product with the exception of RP Decade (2.5%) and RP […]
Sampling Effective August 8, 2016, retailers are not permitted to distribute free samples to consumers at fundraisers, charity events, in-store events, legislative events, etc. IPCPR believes that the following practices do not violate the free sample provision, and have requested written confirmation from FDA: Providing a cigar in exchange for buying other products (e.g. “buy one get one free”). Replacing a plugged, spoiled, or otherwise damaged cigar for free. Having a raffle with cigar(s) as […]
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has released their calculations for user fees of tobacco products for 2017. User fees are part of the new regulations issued by the FDA. The money obtained via user fees is used to fund the FDA’s operation. The amount paid will vary by year and are based on a percentage of SCHIP (40.26 cents) taxes paid by cigar companies. It is expected that the Cigar industry will fund […]
The FDA announced that it has begun enforcing the new regulations on tobacco products that went into effect on August 8th. Today, the FDA issued 55 warning letters to retailers selling newly regulated cigar products to minors. During compliance checks, aka a sting operation, a minor is sent in to purchase tobacco at a brick & mortar retailer or online via the web. If a retailer does not request proof of age of anyone under […]