WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act of 2018, H.R. 3354.
By a vote of 211-198, the House adopted language that would exempt premium cigars from FDA language by restricting the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) from using any funds to enforce the rule. The specific language included in the bill, is the same language that was adopted by the full House Committee on Appropriations on July 12th of this year.
J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America, stated “that passage of this amendment, as included in the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act of 2018, is a testament to the bi-partisan coalition of co-sponsors that have served as a voice of reason, that premium handmade cigars do not deserve the treatment of draconian regulations as proposed by the FDA. Loope continued, ” the bill further speaks to the original congressional intent of the Tobacco Control Act, while serving as a message to the U.S. Senate, as budget negotiations continue this year.”
CRA would like to publicly commend the House of Representatives for taking action to protect the small business premium cigar manufacturers and retailers of this country as well as protecting the rights of adult consumers of premium cigars.
CRA looks forward to working with our supporters and champions in the Senate as they began the process of consideration of this bill.
CRA is working in partnership with the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association in an effort to seek this premium cigar exemption, and to mitigate the detrimental impact of the currently proposed FDA regulations.
For comments, questions, or additional information regarding the FDA’s announcement, please contact the individuals listed below.
Glynn Loope
Cody Carden
(202) 469.3444