We enjoyed seeing many friends and meeting new ones at the IPCPR trade show in Orlando.

From our perspective, the talk of the show was FDA’s potential impending regulation of cigars.  Of course, the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011″ remains pending in Congress.  The bill has many co-sponsors, but has not moved through committee.  One of the sponsors of the bill, Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) vowed last week to push the bill forward.  Also last week, a press release advised that Cigar Rights of America is scheduled to meet with FDA on August 23rd to discuss whether FDA should regulate premium cigars.

FDA said earlier this year that it would issue “deeming” regulations covering additional tobacco products, including cigars, this summer.  Time is running short as the industry casts a wary eye.  Stay tuned — if and when FDA issues the regulations, our team will report on how the regulations may affect your business.  In the meantime, if you would like to work with FDA to shape any proposed regulations, please let us know if we can help.

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