In February, National Tobacco Company, the fourth largest manufacturer and marketer of roll-your-own tobacco products in the United States, filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia seeking a declaration that certain provisions of the Prohibition Against Selling Tobacco Products to Minors Amendment Act of 2009 (the “Act”) are unconstitutional and an injunction prohibiting the District from enforcing the provisions.One of the products manufactured and sold by National Tobacco is the Zig-Zag® brand roll-your-own cigar wrappers.  National Tobacco’s lawsuit targets the provisions of the Act that make it unlawful to sell such cigar wrappers (also known as blunt wraps) in the District.  According to the District, the ban is warranted because, among other things, cigar wrappers are often used by consumers – and adolescents in particular – to smoke substances other than tobacco, such as marijuana and PCP.  The District has moved to dismiss National Tobacco’s case, and the parties are awaiting a decision by the court.

For questions and/or comments, please contact Bryan Haynes, at 804.697.1420 or by email.