June 2014

The ATS joined several other public health and medical organizations in a letter to Congress urging a "no" vote on any amendment to exempt "premium cigars" from FDA regulation. This week, the Senate began consideration of the FY15 Agriculture appropriations bill – which funds the FDA – and there was a strong possibility that an amendment would be offered to exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation. Ultimately, the bill was pulled from the Senate floor because Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) could not come to an agreement on how to proceed with the underlying legislation.

Legislation has been introduced in the both the House and Senate to exempt "premium cigars" from FDA legislation. The House bill (H.R. 792) has 156 cosponsors, while the Senate bill (S. 772) has 15 cosponsors.

As Congress resumes its consideration of appropriations bills, the ATS expects the "premium cigar" exemption amendment to resurface. The ATS will continue to oppose any effort to exempt cigars—or other tobacco products—from FDA regulation.