On Monday, January 23, Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL), Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), and Lou Barletta (R-PA) sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence urging the new administration to swiftly suspend enforcement of the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) deeming regulations, which went into effect on August 8, 2016, imposing very strict regulations on premium cigar retailers and manufacturers. The rationale provided by the FDA for the regulations is the need to significantly impact youth access to tobacco.
Click on image for copy of full 2-page letter to Vice President Mike Pence
The letter, made available by the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), calls out the significant economic impact the regulations will have on the premium cigar industry and a multitude of small businesses. The IPCPR, along with Cigar Rights of America (CRA) will continue to work with congressional supporters and seek to move this agenda forward with and through the new presidential administration.