As we reported yesterday, the first city in the state of California that raised its tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 was under threat of a lawsuit due to its violation of state law in raising the tobacco age. Today, Healdsburg, CA has suspended that law. The litigation threatened by NATO (National Association of Tobacco Outlets) on behalf of the local retailers has forced the city to back down from selling tobacco to those […]
This year at the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans when many retailers and manufacturers went to ship products via FedEx they were asked if the packages contained tobacco due to restrictions prohibiting the shipment of tobacco. It turns out this was a precursor for what was about to come. The Cigar Authority has reached out to IPCPR and spoke with Matt Dogali via email where it has been confirmed that starting January 1st, 2016 that […]
The first Latino and youngest member of the Berkeley City Council, Jeses Arreguin, a Democrat has proposed to raising smoking age on tobacco to 21. His reasoning is the increase in underage tobacco use, specifically vaping. The current age in the state is 18, and if the measure passes all forms of tobacco and tobacco products such as vape will be included in the ban. Violators will be subject to a fine and could lose their […]
According to Reuters, President Barack Obama has nominated a leading cardiologist and researcher for the position of FDA Commissioner. Dr. Robert Califf joined the FDA in January as Deputy Commissioner. Before the position becomes official Dr. Califf will go before the Senate for a confirmation hearing and industry observers do not expect him to face much opposition. If confirmed by the Senate Dr. Califf would replace Dr. Stephen Ostroff, who has served as acting commissioner […]
In the state of California the regular session for 2015 has come to a close, which means that the myriad of tobacco bills pending won’t be heard this year unless a special session is scheduled, though that is very unlikely. The bills which were reported by The Cigar Authority in August could changes taxes, distribution fees, and raise the smoking at to 21. Normally if a bill does not make it within the calendar session; the bill […]
In California, public enemy number one in the cigar community is Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) who has proposed a package of bills that was introduced during the extraordinary session to fight tobacco use and increase the overall health of California. If the legislation is passed it would allow counties to place local tobacco taxes onto the ballot which is currently not permitted in the state. Other Tobacco Products such as cigars would then become double taxed via state […]
Yesterday, a California Senate panel approved a package of six anti-tobacco bills. While most of them pertain to e-cigarettes, one of them did revive the once defeated proposal to raise the tobacco age to 21. The original measure to raise the tobacco age stalled in the legislature but was revived for this special session healthcare and was approved by the new Senate Committee on Public Health and Developmental Services. While the measure passed in the […]
Last year the Board of Health in Westminster, Massachusetts attempted to ban the sale of tobacco products. Thankfully, that measure failed and now state lawmakers have begun to take measures that will prevent other local governments from enacting similar ordinances. The bill which is co-sponsored by Representative Paul K. Frost, a republican from Auburn made it clear that the bill was a direct response to Westminster and a prevention for other local governments to attempt […]
The city of San Diego has repealed a law that banned tobacco advertising because it violates the First Amendment free-speech protections according to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune. The repeal which the city council unanimously approved will once again allow manufacturers and retailers to speak directly to their customers about products. It also removed the 1,000 foot buffer for tobacco advertising around schools, libraries, arcades, recreation centers, and child-care facilities. However, it does not remove […]
My old stomping grounds in NYC was sold today to a firm with ties to Altadis and JR Cigars. The following is the email the Fakhir brothers sent to their customers. Dear Cigar Inn Customers, We wanted to share with you some important news about Cigar Inn. A subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, today has acquired The Cigar Inn stores and cigar lounges located at 1016 Second Avenue and 334 East 73rd Street. We […]