As Congress is debating what the Federal Budget with the Omnibus Spending Bill, part of the process is to determine what Federal programs will receive funding. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pushing for regulations of premium cigars, it would require such funding. Word has now surfaced that there is a chance for a potential exemption with that proposed bill. Both the International Premium Cigar and Retailers (IPCPR) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) has called on its members to make their voices heard. Both organizations have issued a Call to Action to its members to contact House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and make their feelings known against federal regulations and keep cigars exempt from them.
The contact numbers are as follows:
Speaker Paul Ryan: 202-225-0600 (Phone), 202.225.5117 (Fax), @SpeakerRyan
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: 202-225-4000, @GOPLeader
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: 202.224.2541, @McConnellPress
Cigar Enthusiasts are advised to call and if they receive a busy signal or full voicemail box to keep trying. CRA has provided guidance to consumers, while IPCPR has provided guidance for retailers.
Back in October, it was reported the FDA sent its proposed rulings for the regulation of premium cigars to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB is currently conducting its own review on what the FDA has proposed. The delivery of this proposal to the OMB is a necessary step as this organization administers the budget necessary to implement such regulations. If the 2016 budget does not fund these proposals, it could protect the cigar industry from being subject to such regulations.
There are also two bills floating around Congress calling for such an exemption. H.R. 662 is House Bill has 151 sponsors while S. 441 is the Senate Bill. There also is resistance to such legislation as there is a group of Eleven U.S. Senators pushing the OMB to quickly complete its eview on the proposed FDA regulations.
It is currently unknown as to the extent of these regulations. When the FDA released its Deeming Document, it proposed two options. One of the options, known as “Option 2” provides for an exemption for premium cigars.
The Premium Cigar industry will be granted it’s exemption, no funding will be added to the final bill to fund the FDA enforcement efforts. Now is the time for the entire cigar industry to get serious about messaging and it’s approach to politics. Many mistakes have been made over the last for years, talking with members of Congress they feel that the cigar industry need to be more informed of the process and more professional in its presentation. So in conclusion we have work to do. My company has not been involved in the industry efforts as of this date, but as a big supporter of the cigar industry, being a cigar smoker, friend to industry leadership and DC insider, I see good things coming out of a realignment, because that’s what’s going to be needed in order to maintain any gains thus far…..
Nando Martinez CEO The Nando Group
Do we know for sure that the funding has been removed and the exemption granted for the Cigar Industry? I cannot find anything in the press or on the Internet that indicates that either has happened?
Thanks,
Milford Hutsell
We posted an update. The exception was not granted and this was confirmed by us with IPCPR this morning. See this story here.