The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern Time.

Cigar Industry Report: Volume 7, Number 17 (Edition 270 3/17/18)

Feature of the Week: FDA Issues ANPRM on Regulating Maximum Nicotine Levels

Back in July, 2017 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb announced plans for a program to reduce nicotine levels down to non-addictive levels. This week, the FDA announced an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) seeking public comment to what the agency is thinking in regards to this program. While the program is aimed at cigarettes, there are questions on how or if premium cigars should be regulated for nicotine levels. When Gottlieb announced the program back in July, the overall question of how or if premium cigars should be regulated as a whole was often raised. The FDA plans a second ANPRM addressing premium cigars in the future.

News and Previews

Legislative News

  • House of Representatives: H.R. 564 is a proposed piece of legislation that calls for an exemption from FDA Regulation for premium handmade cigars. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 143.
  • U.S. Senate: S.294 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 564. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 20.
  • House Bill 1136: H.R. 1136 is the legislation to change the Grandfather Date for Deeming Tobacco products subject to FDA Regulation from February 15, 2017, to 21 days after enactment of the regulations. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 91.
  • California: A bill has once again been proposed to ban smoking on state beaches.
  • Washington: The proposed bill to raise the smoking age to 21 in the state did not come up for a Senate vote – effectively killing the bill for the time being.

Assessments

Cigar Coop Coffee Collection

Reminder, we have partnered with Layne Coffee to offer two unique coffee blends. We have the details here. You can also order your coffee here.

Prime Time Show

This week for Episode 46, we welcomed Steven Bailey of Cornelius & Anthony as our special guest. In our Debonaire Ideal segment, we talked epic performances in motion pictures. Finally, in our Deliberation Segment, we discussed what makes the perfect cigar and how it should be scored.

Prime Time Special Edition

This week, we celebrated the 25th Prime Time Special Edition. Our special guest was Luis Cuevas of Casa Cuevas Cigars. We also discussed the recent closing of the Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar at Tropicana Field.

Prime Time Show Schedule

Upcoming Schedule (Subject to Change)

Prime Time

No Show (3/22/18)
Episode 47 (3/29/18): Master Sensei, Cigar Dojo
Episode 48 (4/5/18): TBA
Episode 49 (4/12/18): One Year Anniversary Show with Avo Cigars – Live from Tampa, Florida
Episode 50 (4/19/18): TBA
No Show (4/26/18)
Episode 51 (5/3/18): Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
Episode 52 (5/10/18): TBA
Episode 53 (5/17/18): The Drew Estate Barn Smoker Pre Game Show w/ Jeff Borysiewicz – Live from Orlando, Florida

Prime Time Special Edition

Special Edition #26 (3/27/18): MLB Baseball Preview
Special Edition #27 (4/10/18): TBA
Special Edition #28 (4/17/18) E.P. Carrillo
Special Edition TBD (4/27/18): Christian Eiroa, CLE Cigar Company

On this date March 17th..