On Monday, April 15th, Cigar Rights of America (CRA), filed the industry’s reply brief in response to the United States Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) appeal in Cigar Association of America, Cigar Rights of America, and Premium Cigar Association v FDA.  On August 9, 2023, Judge Amit Mehta issued a ruling in the CRA-led lawsuit CAA et al. v FDA, striking down all FDA regulations on premium cigars. Judge Mehta’s decision to vacate FDA’s regulatory authority resulted from his prior holding that FDA had acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner when it failed to ..read more

When it comes to state taxation policies, few industries face as much scrutiny and inconsistency as premium cigars. As lawmakers grapple with budgetary constraints and revenue generation, the cigar industry often finds itself in the crosshairs of excessive tax policies. However, amidst the debate over fiscal priorities, it is crucial to recognize the economic contributions of premium cigars and the necessity of implementing tax caps to protect them from excessive taxation. The economic contributions of premium cigars are significant, spanning various sectors and industries. Beyond the direct s ..read more

On January 18, 2023, Vermont State Senator Virginia Lyons proposed Senate Bill 18 (S.18) which would eliminate flavored tobacco products in the state. The bill’s preamble highlighted the detrimental effects of flavored tobacco products on Vermont and society as a whole. Her objective was to safeguard children from harmful products such as mass-market flavored tobacco items and electronic nicotine devices by prohibiting their sale in the state. Despite her noble intentions, the bill’s drafting raised concerns about potential unintended consequences for the premium cigar industry. S.18’s overly ..read more

Baseball and cigars have woven a unique tapestry in American culture, symbolizing not only a bond of tradition and camaraderie but also celebrated collective memory and individual leisure. With the beginning of a new baseball season, we want to pause to reflect on their shared history and cultural significance. Baseball, often called America’s national pastime, holds a revered place in American culture. Its rich history resonates deeply with fans, evoking exhilarating triumphs to heart-wrenching defeats. The experience of watching a game, from the suspenseful silence before a pitch to the expl ..read more

Georgia: City leaders did not approve or deny a permit for a downtown cigar lounge at the council meeting Monday because there was no quorum. The mayor and one councilman were not present while another councilman was the person submitting the new business request. The post City considers downtown cigar lounge appeared first on Cigar Rights ..read more

Missouri: The Washington City Council approved an ordinance Monday granting an exemption from its indoor smoking ban for cigar bars. The post Washington City Council approves allowing cigar bars appeared first on Cigar Rights ..read more

Florida: Since 2009, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has been Tampa’s last operational cigar factory. Recently, the 129-year-old business located inside Ybor City’s El Regensburg Cigar Factory learned they have an even more notable distinction. The post This Tampa cigar factory is now the last operational one in the country appeared first on Cigar Rights ..read more

By Mike Copperman President Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured the necessary number of delegates to clinch their party’s presidential nomination, paving the way for the inevitable rematch between the 2020 rivals. The consequences of the potential return of former President Trump to the White House has stirred significant discussion around the structure and operation of the federal government. Trump’s outlined intentions, focusing on the dissolution of certain government agencies and the displacement of a vast number of federal employees, underscores what would be a transforma ..read more

Generational Smoking Bans and the Premium Cigar Industry By Mike Copperman The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts’ decision to uphold the town of Brookline’s decision to implement a generational smoking ban, prohibiting the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2000, is an underreported but potentially highly critical inflection point for the premium cigar industry nationwide. Generational smoking bans, while aimed at curbing youth vaping and cigarette smoking by curbing smoking initiation among future generations, fail to consider the full scope of such a ban, grouping mass-ma ..read more

Since 2001, Canada has taken an aggressive stance regarding tobacco control measures. Once again, it has set new standards with the introduction of individual cigarette warning messages to discourage smoking, particularly among youth and non-smokers. Under the Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging, and Labeling regulations (TPAPLR), cigarettes in Canada now bear stark warnings like “poison in every puff.” These messages, which are periodically updated, aim to ensure their continued effectiveness in deterring smokers and raising awareness about the dangers of cigarettes. Although the messaging ..read more