We're making great progress, but there's still much work to be done.
So if you've contacted your elected official, thank you, but please
continue to make your voice heard. And if you haven't, we greatly
need your help to protect the future of premium handmade cigars.
It's easy to sit back and imagine that this problem will fix itself,
or that enough others will act and your single support is unnecessary.
But the truth is, this battle is far from over. The threats are real
and the potential outcome is frightening. Cigars, premium cigars, the
which you regularly enjoy are in grave danger. And your support is
paramount to protecting them from an outcome which could mean some
very detrimental changes. Let's face it, we wouldn't ask for your
help if there was any other way. But you, and your voice, are key.
And you can help to squash these regulations before they move any
further. So please, from a bunch of fellow cigar nuts to another,
donate a couple of minutes (literally, just a couple) and you can
help to make a major impact.
Currently, our FDA is trying to put restrictions on how tobacco
products are made and sold in the United States. While we support
all of our tobacco brethren, we need to make these politicians
realize premium cigars are fundamentally different from cigarettes
and should be treated as such. Cigars are marketed to and enjoyed by
adults. The key word being: adults.
Instead, our FDA wants to treat us like children and put graphic
warnings on cigar boxes and advertising. New restrictions on
marketing will demand dumbed-down, black and white advertisements.
Because, as adults, we simply can't handle full color advertisements;
that would just be anarchy! FDA regulations will prohibit walk-in
humidors at your local tobacconists and limit cigar sales to
behind-the-counter sales only. These limitations will ban mail order
sales.
Obviously, costs are required to enforce these regulations – costs
resulting in rising cigar taxes. As we know, rising costs, higher
taxes, and bans result in jobs lost at all levels, here and abroad.
Less freedom, more taxes, and fewer jobs. How is this helping anyone?
But, the beauty of this country is our ability and God-given right to
speak up; to be heard. That's where you come in. As cigar enthusiasts,
we need to speak as a unified coalition. Please be active, be heard,
and ask your local congressman to support
HR 1639/S 1461 "Traditional
Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011".
This bipartisan legislation clarifies the Tobacco Control Act to
exempt premium cigars from regulation by FDA and will stand up for our
rights as enthusiasts. Get out there, gents, and let our voices be
heard!
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The key rationales for exempting cigars from FDA regulation are:
- Cigars are fundamentally different from cigarettes, and accordingly should be afforded different regulatory treatment.
- Cigars are an artisanal product made from 100% tobacco.
- Cigars are marketed to and enjoyed by adults.
- Threatened regulations would have a deleterious impact on the cigar industry.
FDA regulations could potentially require, for example:
- Graphic warnings on cigar boxes, advertising and point of sale materials.
- Significant advertising restrictions such as black and white only ads.
- Only behind the counter sales. This could prohibit walk-in humidors.
- Only face-to-face sales. This could prohibit mail order sales.
- Ban on flavored cigars.
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