#73: Cigarette lovers are protesting the regulation by FDA.

Panama City, PA. — Cigars comes in all shapes, from small ones made by machines to the larger, hand rolled ones. The number in the varieties is of cigars is so huge that literally all types of tobacco lover can find something they love. However, recently FDA has announced further regulations in the industry regarding the quality of the cigars. These announcements have stirred a debate among the cigar lovers industry. Some are worried about their favorite products while many others in the industry are worried about their future livelihood source.

A 2009 law had given FDA the scope to gain control over the tobacco industry including cuban cigars and now they are trying to take a step that would help them to reduce the rate of tobacco induced death and disease. While their full agenda is not out in the open as of yet, many people are fearing that they might put ban on certain products, especially the smokeless tobacco products. A number of flavors are probably going to get banned. They might as well as ask the producers to make changes to the health warnings while making them change the sizes and shapes of the cigars. There might also be changes in the marketing and selling process to and the amount of nicotine found in the products.

In this confusing scenario, the premium cigar industry seems to be the most concerned one. They are thinking that such restrictions might be an unmanageable blow for the tobacco makers and the stores. According to them, it is the handmade cigar makers who are going to get the worst from the blow as it is very difficult for them to go along with the specific quality benchmarks compared to the industrial cigar producer.  This is why the premium cigar makers are protesting against this new to be implemented regulations and asking FDA to consider this specific part of the industry with special consideration.

‘’Premium cigars are not marketed for everyone. They are creative products, made only for a targeted group of people with special fondness and passion for this type of tobacco products. Running a regulation on these products is kind of like playing with the diehard cigar lovers’ love and passion for these special made cigars. While this industry does not even cover the 10 percent of the total tobacco production industry, I think they should be spared and be given some benefit of doubt.’’  Says Bill,  a known face in the premium cigar and CEO of the premium cigars association.

Before taking a hard decision, FDA should in fact consider where the exceptions are to be made so that they can both regulate the damage done my tobacco and at the same time do not force the tobacco lovers to leave their passion behind.