Cigar Rights of America

UPATE ON H.R. 1639 – The Fight to Prevent FDA Regulation of Cigars, PART 2
- Three More U.S. Senators Join the Cause -

By J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director
Cigar Rights of America

Since we wrote you this week on the proactive federal legislation to ward off the anticipated effort by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate cigars under the banner of The Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011 , we have learned of three more U.S. Senators that have joined in writing the Commissioner of the FDA, proclaiming that cigars are of a “distinctive culture, artisan tradition and business model.”

Those were the words of U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. They further stated, “As the FDA continues to implement the Tobacco Act, we urge it to recognize the fundamental differences between premium cigars and other tobacco products.”

They were joined by U.S. Senator Bob Corker also of Tennessee . Senator Corker stated, “I have heard numerous concerns from constituents regarding potential regulation of premium cigars.” He continued, “Premium cigars are labor-intensive, artisan products that are designed for use and enjoyment by adults. In addition, manufacturers and retailers of premium cigars occupy their own business and cultural niche, with sales comprising less than one-half of 1% of the overall tobacco market.”

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia , Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker of Tennessee , and Bill Nelson of Florida join the following members of the U.S. House of Representatives in writing FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg asking for differentiating cigars from the regulatory process:

Congressman Bill Posey of Florida
Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Florida
Congressman Ken Calvert of California
Congresswoman Candice Miller of Michigan
Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma
Congressman Nick J. Rahall of West Virginia
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
Congressman Jim Copper of Tennessee
Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan
Congressman John Kline of Minnesota
Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida
Congresswoman Sue Myrick of North Carolina
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida
Congressman Charles Boustany, M.D., of Louisiana

And former Members

U.S. Senator George LeMieux of Florida
U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek of Florida
U.S. Representative Alan Grayson of Florida

Spotlight

Take Action! What You Can Do:

Please print these letters that serve as a model for your member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Send them a copy of the March 31, 2011 letter from Congressman Bill Posey and Congresswoman Kathy Castor, with a personal note, asking that they sign onto the legislation.

Take it to their District Office, or fax it in. Here's how to find your members:
U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

For Florida Residents Only: Please contact U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and U.S. Representative Marco Rubio and ask them to sponsor similar legislation in the Senate.

Call your member of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Tell them to send FDA a message, “Leave My Cigars Alone!”

Important Updates For California, New York, Hawaii, and 14 Other States

Click Here For Legislative Updates By State

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CRA Needs Your Help!

In order to be successful in our fight to enjoy cigars without the threat of smoking bans and high taxation, CRA needs your help. Please consider partnering with CRA through two important methods:

Membership
There is strength in numbers! The more members CRA has, the greater voice we have at all levels of legislature. Please help CRA by asking your fellow cigar enthusiasts to join CRA today! Membership starts as low as $35/year.

Donate
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