Saturday, December 03 2011
By J. Glynn Loope
Executive Director | Cigar Rights of America
It is often said that politics is a contact sport. In the arena of Washington, DC, you can always bet that no matter the cause, someone else will be out there trying to defeat your legislation, and attack your mission.
It goes without saying that anything tobacco related is going to attract a handsome list of opponents, and the effort to protect premium/traditional cigars from regulations composed by the US Food & Drug Administration is no different. We have our fair share. That should come as no surprise, but it’s their tactics that is of special note.
Currently, there are at least forty health oriented groups on record against H.R. 1639 and S. 1461, that is making progress in the House of Representatives and US Senate in an effort to protect cigars from the FDA regulatory malaise.
Opponents have been vocal virtually since introduction of the legislation. It began on May 11 of this year, when HR 1639 sponsors Representative Bill Posey and Representative Kathy Castor received a joint letter from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, noting their “strong opposition,” to the legislation. They continue with the litany of purported health ailments that result from enjoying cigars, which basically lists about everything except the Ebola Virus and the plague, while also making some outlandish statements that clearly can not be substantiated.
The most interesting, yet troublesome, comment they made in the letter was the following: “Cigar smoking is the second most common form of tobacco use among youth….high school boys currently smoke cigars, and each day more than 3,400 kids under 18 years old try cigar smoking for the first time.”
Amazing, and yet not unexpected. As we conduct briefings in Washington, we are clear on making cigars unique. They are not marketed to youth. Their price point keeps them from the hands of underage smokers. America’s tobacconists do not cater to the young, a passion that is shared by discerning adults making an adult decision.
These groups are joined by the American Association of Respiratory Care, which also wrote members of Congress with the statement cigars, “largely appeal to young smokers.” The American Medical Association has also noted their opposition to this historic effort to protect your ability to enjoy great cigars.
Industry leaders from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, along with Cigar Rights of America, have responded to each opposition letter, with letters based upon facts, not sensational hyperbole.
However, we can highlight today, even amidst the bad press that surrounds the work of Congress, that among them, there are Members of Congress that are capable of being objective; Capable of being pro-business and anti-regulation; Capable of realizing what makes a cigar unique, and are committed to saving jobs. Yes, six physicians and two nurses that are members of Congress have signed on to support H.R. 1639.
True progress is being made to advance this critical legislation, with over 125 members of the House of Representatives signing on as co-sponsors, and new members of the Senate signing on, as well. Do your part by signing the Cigar Rights of America petition to Congress that asks for their support for this critical legislation, and your opposition to any effort by the FDA to regulate cigars.
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To do your part, TAKE ACTION NOW!
