Earlier this morning, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced its finalized plans to regulate deemed products, including cigars. Here are the basics and a few quick takeaways from the 499-page document. FDA will regulate cigars of all shapes, size, origin and flavor. In brief terms, cigars will be divided into three categories: Pre-2007 — Any cigar marketed prior to Feb. 15, 2007 is grandfathered and FDA can only impose certain restrictions on these products. Manufacturers will still be required to put warning labels that cover 30 percent of two main parts of the box and will be banned from giving free samples. They will also likely need to submit a document with a list of ingredients. Manufacturers will not have to receive any sort of approval from FDA about these products. Post-2007 — Any cigar that is introduced on the market after Feb. 15, 2007, but before the rule goes into effect (Aug. 8, 2016) will be able to remain on the market for at least two years. After two years it will be subject to the same warning label requirements, but manufacturers will have to submit the product to FDA for approval. The cost of this remains ...
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