The following is an editorial and represents the opinions of this author and this author alone. Earlier this week, the Cigar Rights of America found itself with some controversy when a meme was posted to the organization’s Facebook page. While many questioned the appropriateness of the meme, I think it exposed that the organization needs […]
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (“NASEM”) Committee on Patterns of Use and Health Effects of “Premium Cigars” and Priority Research released their highly anticipated report examining premium cigars. Following the release of, Premium Cigars: Patterns of Use, Marketing, and Health Effects, the Cigar Rights of America (CRA) issued a statement in regards […]
June is the month we get ready for the PCA Trade Show and we begin our PCA coverage leading up to the Trade Show. At the same time the PCA is getting ready to put on the show, there are many battles on the federal and state level being fought. Tonight as we kick off […]
Cigar Rights of America (CRA)’s Board of Directors have elected new leaders. Gary Pesh, owner of Old Virginia Tobacco Company, has been named Chairman of the Board; and Karen Smith, Vice President of Arturo Fuente, has been elected as President. Both succeed Robert G. Levin of Ashton who had served in both roles since 2014. Smith […]
Cigar Rights of America (CRA) has issued the first statement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s proposed ban on flavored cigars. CRA issued the following statement: It is unclear at this time if the intended ban will apply only to mass-market flavored cigars. FDA intends to address this issue in the preamble to […]
The three trade associations (Cigar Association of America, Cigar Rights of America, and Premium Cigar Association) have filed a motion for summary judgment and permanent injunction with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asking the Court to nullify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Final Deeming Rule. The Deeming Rule is defines […]
On the last night of the Trump Administration being in office (January 19, 2021), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) released rules about Substantial Equivalence (SE) and Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA). Regarding premium cigars, the FDA did not apply the rules at this time. This is the […]
Each week, I have the opportunity to produce the news segment for KMA Talk Radio. On Cigar Coop, we will now post replays of the shows each week (the weekfollowing the date it is aired) in our “blog.” This week on Episode 398 which aired on November 7, 2020, the special guest was Erik Espinosa […]
Glynn Loope who officially stepped down as executive Director of Cigar Rights of America (CRA) ten days ago has joined the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) as an advisor for state government affairs. It’s part of a restructuring being done to PCA’s Government Affairs where Joshua Habursky has been promoted to Head of Government Affairs. Previously Habursky […]
Today marks the final day of the Glynn Loope era at Cigar Rights of America (CRA). It was back in April that is was announced that Loope would be stepping down as Executive Director for CRA effective the day after Election Day. Loope has been the only Executive Director the organization has known since it […]
