WASHINGTON, DC (October 28, 2024) – Last week, representatives from Cigar Rights of America (CRA) attended the 2024 Tobacco and Nicotine Products Regulatory Science Symposium and the Tobacco and Nicotine Products Regulation and Policy Conference, both organized by the Food & Drug Law Institute (FDLI).
These conferences offered CRA the chance to participate in crucial discussions surrounding the future of tobacco regulation, particularly in the context of premium cigars. Of special importance was a session on setting key criteria for when FDA can and cannot regulate under the terms of the Tobacco Control Act. Participating in these dialogues on policy between the FDA, the public health community, and industry is vital for continuing to make our voices heard in Washington.
The Symposium, which was held on October 23rd, addressed a broad spectrum of scientific topics related to nicotine policy. Key discussions focused on regulatory benchmarks such as Appropriate for the Protection of Public Health (APPH) and Population Health Impact Modeling. CRA’s involvement in these conversations provided valuable insights into the research and studies that inform U.S. regulatory processes for tobacco products, including premium cigars.
Over the following two days, CRA attended the Conference, which brought together stakeholders from a wide range of sectors—public health advocates, researchers, manufacturers, legal experts, consumer groups, government agencies, and entrepreneurs. This gathering served as a platform to explore current and future regulatory challenges for tobacco and nicotine products. Topics revolved around discussion on the evolving science behind tobacco control, regulatory developments, and consumer protection measures.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Brian King, Director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. King provided key updates on tobacco regulatory policies and discussed broader regulatory implications. Notably, he did not mention premium cigars or express any intention to re-Deem this category, which may reflect either evolving agency priorities or cautious pre-election positioning.
Additionally, Dr. King also highlighted the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s pending decision in Loper Bright, emphasizing that it could significantly influence the FDA’s regulatory approach and likely increase litigation.
“This three-day event was an invaluable opportunity for CRA to engage with experts and policymakers on the evolving landscape of tobacco regulation,” said Mike Copperman, Executive Director of CRA. “It is evident that the entire tobacco control apparatus remains stalwart in their devotion to ending all combustible products. CRA will continue in our tireless efforts to ensure they are unsuccessful.”
CRA’s participation in events such as this underscores our ongoing commitment to representing the premium cigar industry in regulatory, legislative, and legal discussions, ensuring that the voice of premium hand rolled cigars is heard as the FDA and other agencies develop and enforce tobacco control measures.
For more information, contact:
Cody Carden
Director of Communications
Cigar Rights of America
[email protected]