House Appropriations Committee Passes Legislation That Would Change FDA Regulation Date for Cigars

The cigar industry got one of its largest wins on a federal level in a while today when the U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill 29-21. In it is a measure that could save thousands of cigars and dozens of manufacturers—although it still faces a long road from becoming law. Language exists within the Appropriations Bill that would move the grandfather date for products that would be exempt from potential regulation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) from Feb. 15, 2007 to whenever the rules take effect. According to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) that could save as much as 85 percent of the existing cigars on the market. The Appropriations Bill still needs to pass the full House and the Senate, but getting the language through the committee is a big win for the cigar industry and others. Under the rules originally set forth in the Tobacco Control Act, any product marketed prior to Feb. 15, 2007 would be exempt from most rules set forth by future FDA deeming regulation. However, any cigar that was first marketed after that date would face varying degrees of difficulties and costs to remain on ...