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| Washington, D.C. to the State Capitols: An Update on 2012 Efforts to Protect Cigars from the Nanny State |
This week, something interesting occurred in Washington, D.C.: A grassroots movement triggered a reaction on a piece of controversial legislation, causing legislators to change positions, hold press conferences, and proclaim that they were listening to their constituents. Amazing.
No, it wasn't pertaining to the initiative to protect premium cigars from FDA regulations, but the noted effort to address internet piracy, with sites such as Wikipedia and companies like Google protesting the Stop Online Piracy Act, by shuttering sites, redirecting to the web sites of Senators, and related efforts to get their opposition to the legislation ‘noticed.' It's working, and it's a model on how individuals can impact the political process.
With over 153,000 messages to Congress in support of H.R. 1639 and S. 1461, the effort to protect cigars from federal encroachment is getting attention too. That's why over 40 health related groups have come out against the legislation, and it's also why 138 Members of the US House of Representatives have said ‘yes to liberty.'
Suddenly, the ‘cigar constituency' is being heard, and the concept of ‘Cigar Voters', is coming to life. But there is much to be done. We need to get that number to 250,000 messages to Congress, and frankly, to an Administration that needs to better understand our sentiments on this activist federal bureaucracy and its potential impact on this passion we share. |
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| CRA Opens Washington, D.C. Office |
In Washington, if you're out of sight, you are definitely out of mind. You have to be there, to be consistently pounding the pavement to get our message across to the staff and membership in the House and Senate.
To develop this presence, CRA has opened an office near the U.S. Capitol, at 300 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Suite 900 . We will assist in coordinating House and Senate staff and member meetings for our retail tobacconist and consumer members from across the nation, especially during this critical time for HR 1639 and S 1461.
In 2012, we will be asking you, the membership of CRA, to take a more direct role in supporting this legislation, by meeting with your legislators while they are both in Washington , and back home in their District Offices. If you are coming to Washington and would like assistance in arranging such meetings, please call CRA's Legislative Director, Mike Copperman, at 202-469-3444. |
| Legislative Updates By State |
New York
Next week, CRA will be in two state capitols on issues of national significance. We're heading to Albany, New York to address legislative efforts to obtain a tax cap for cigars in the Empire State . The Assembly and Governor Cuomo need to support AB 1093. Send them a message to support this critical legislation for the tobacconists, residents and tourists of New York.
Indiana
Then mid-week, it's off to Indianapolis to combat the proposed state-wide smoking ban in Indiana. Short of efforts to defeat the legislation in the Indiana Senate, the legislation needs to carry the critical exemptions for cigar shops, cigar bars and lounges, gaming facilities among other venues. Thanks to the Mid-West Smoke Out at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana, the Hoosier state has one of the largest concentrations of CRA members in the nation. Tell your members of the Indiana legislature to defeat HB 1149, but if they vote for it, it better carry the essential exemptions!
Maryland
This week, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley confirmed the reports of proposed tax increases on cigars, in his effort to have them taxed at the same rate as cigarettes. In the words of House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell, the Governor's budget “redefines wealth, and takes aim at the middle-class.” Contact your members of the Maryland legislature, and tell them “No New Cigar Taxes!”
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| New Co-Sponsors on H.R. 1639! |
This week, we welcome the first new co-sponsors of H.R. 1639 for 2012. We would like to thank Representative Tim Johnson of Illinois and Representative Trey Gowdy of South Carolina for their support.
Sign the on-line petition, and call your member of the U.S. House and Senate. Tell them to support this critical legislation (H.R. 1639 and S. 1461) that keeps the federal government out of your humidor! |
| TAKE ACTION: Help Exempt Premium Cigars From FDA Regulation! |
H.R. 1639 / S. 1461 - Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act
Did you know that on April 26, 2010, December 20, 2010, and July 7, 2011 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration publicly posted their intent to regulate cigars in the Federal Register?
Some of the measures FDA could consider, as we believe they are, include:
- Ban on walk-in humidors, self serve cigar displays, and mail-order cigar sales;
- Ban on all flavored cigars, that are enjoyed by legal-age adults;
- Deface ornate, decorative cigar boxes, often considered an art form with grotesque images;
- Ban on cigar events where free cigars (samples) could be available to legal-age adults;
- Limits on cigar marketing and advertising;
- Imposition of new ‘user fees' [tax] on cigars, to finance regulations;
- Limits on special release and small-batch cigars, due to mandates that cigar blends be submitted to FDA for pre-approval before release;
- Limits on nicotine levels on cigars to near zero, severely impacting the flavor of cigars;
- Ban on marketing cigar merchandise.
We urge you to easily take action now by clicking the button below!
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