Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America Breaks Down World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

FROM THE CIGAR RIGHTS OF AMERICA Today, February 6, the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) convened in Panama City, Panama. This meeting of COP was originally scheduled to be held in November of last year, but was postponed due to ongoing security concerns. Read more about Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America Breaks Down World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)[…]

Cigar News: Mike Copperman Named Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America

The Board of Directors of Cigar Rights of America (CRA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Copperman as the organization’s new executive director. This decision comes after an extensive search and selection process to find a dynamic and experienced leader to guide CRA through its next phase of growth and advocacy. Mike, who Read more about Cigar News: Mike Copperman Named Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America[…]

Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America (CRA) Announces Fall Edition “Freedom Packs”

The CRA Fall Freedom Packs are coming to Great American Cigar Shops and select retailers near you! These highly sought-after samplers of ten limited-edition cigars won’t be around long, so get yours while supplies last.  The Freedom Packs generate funds to support CRA’s legislative efforts in Washington, DC, and state capitals nationwide. In August, the Read more about Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America (CRA) Announces Fall Edition “Freedom Packs”[…]

Cigar News: CRA Files Comment On FDA Proposed Rule Regarding Flavors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”) filed a comment on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) proposal regarding flavored tobacco products. The CRA submission agrees with FDA that the Proposed Rule is inapplicable to premium cigars because premium cigars, by definition, do not have characterizing flavors. However, we remain concerned that certain Read more about Cigar News: CRA Files Comment On FDA Proposed Rule Regarding Flavors[…]

Cigar News: CRA Back In Court Seeking to End Regulation of Premium Cigars

Today, Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”) was back in federal court before Judge Amit P. Mehta reasserting the industry’s challenge to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) rejection of the Option 2 regulatory framework. This challenge is a final push solely by CRA to give our industry permanent relief from the egregious regulation that Read more about Cigar News: CRA Back In Court Seeking to End Regulation of Premium Cigars[…]

Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America Elects New Leaders

The Board of Directors of Cigar Rights of America (CRA) has elected new leaders.  The Board elected Gary Pesh of Old Virginia Tobacco Company as Chairman of the Board and Karen Smith of Arturo Fuente as President.  They are succeeding Robert G. Levin of Ashton who had served in both roles since 2014. Pesh noted: Read more about Cigar News: Cigar Rights of America Elects New Leaders[…]

Cigar News: Dr. Gaby Kafie Steps Down as President of the Boutique Cigar Association

Dr. Gaby Kafie has announced he will be stepping down as the President of the Boutique Cigar Association (BCA) in order to focus his efforts on his business and family. Moving forward I will always be a loyal servant to the cause “in protecting our industry” but for now, I need some time off. The Read more about Cigar News: Dr. Gaby Kafie Steps Down as President of the Boutique Cigar Association[…]

Cigar News: Premium Cigar Industry Town Hall Scheduled for Sept 29

Last week, the PCA and CRA announced they would be holding an online Town Hall with leaders in the industry to discuss the recent legal victories, the current state of play in our advocacy, and some of the new ways we are working together moving forward. Due to the overwhelming amount of interest, registration for Read more about Cigar News: Premium Cigar Industry Town Hall Scheduled for Sept 29[…]

Taking It To The Nub – Season 1 Episode 21 – Glynn Loope – Cigar Rights of America

In this episode, Boston Jimmie from Stogie Press sits down with Cigar Rights of America Executive Director, Glynn Loope to discuss the state of the Premium Cigar Industry and how we are navigating the FDA road blocks. We take a trip back to the start of the FDA Regulations and visit the Save The Leaf Read more about Taking It To The Nub – Season 1 Episode 21 – Glynn Loope – Cigar Rights of America[…]

Cigar News: FDA Acknowledges their Huge Workload for Substantial Equivalence Reports and Offers Possible Deferment

On August 5th 2020, just 4 years after the FDA’s deeming regulations on the the cigar industry took effect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration submitted a court filing which essentially proposed a program that will allow manufacturers to request a deferral on submitting substantial equivalence reports. Essentially it allows premium cigar manufacturers to apply Read more about Cigar News: FDA Acknowledges their Huge Workload for Substantial Equivalence Reports and Offers Possible Deferment[…]

Cigar News: Words A Premium Cigar Manufacturer/Brand Owner Never Want To See

“We completed our review of your Substantially Equivalent (SE) Report submitted under section 905(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and determined that the new tobacco product is not substantially equivalent to the predicate tobacco products listed in Appendix A…..“ These are the words that start the letter from the FDA Read more about Cigar News: Words A Premium Cigar Manufacturer/Brand Owner Never Want To See[…]

Cigar News: DC Court of Appeals Rules Against FDA Warning Labels on Cigars

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously ruled in favor of the Premium Cigar industry today, by striking down a former ruling that warning labels are required on cigar products. The court ruled that the FDA warning labels are “arbitrary and capricious.” The complete opinion of the court can Read more about Cigar News: DC Court of Appeals Rules Against FDA Warning Labels on Cigars[…]

Cigar News: Live Free or Die..Unless You Smoke Cigars

No sooner has the New Hampshire State House of Representatives been seated for the 2019 legislative session, a 5th term house representative, Timothy Horrigan (D), introduced a bill that would no longer exempt premium cigars from the states Tobacco Tax. Rep. Horrigan, a resident of Duram. NH, who represents Strafford- District 06 which includes both Duram and Madbury, Read more about Cigar News: Live Free or Die..Unless You Smoke Cigars[…]