The Troutman Sanders Tobacco Team will attend the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Annual Convention and International Trade Show in Las Vegas, June 28 to July 2, 2019.

The show is the largest event dedicated to the premium cigar and pipe tobacco industry.  The show occurs as the industry is in a state of regulatory flux.  Several challenges to the FDA’s authority over premium cigars remain pending, Congress is considering a bill that would exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation and the FDA has indicated a willingness to reevaluate its approach to premium cigar regulation.  The show occurs as the industry prepares its response to the FDA’s proposed rulemaking regarding the application of substantial equivalence requirements to premium cigars and pipe tobacco.  These are interesting times indeed for the premium cigar industry.

Troutman Sanders recently authorized a SmokeShop Magazine article, “The FDA’s Catch-22:  The Agency Threatens Early Enforcement Against New Tobacco Products as it Stalls on Long-Awaited Guidance,” which will debut at the show.  The article discusses the FDA’s threat to step up enforcement of premarket review requirements, while at the same time the Agency is stalling on long-awaited guidance and regulations establishing the requirements for these submissions. 

We look forward to seeing our clients and friends at the show.