New Senate Bill Calls for Protection of Cigars from FDA Regulation

Two U.S. Senators proved that bi-partisan cooperation can work for this passion we share, much less work to protect a significant cornerstone to the economic foundation of their State of Florida. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL, and US Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL came together and introduced S. 1461 as the companion bill to H.R. 1639, so that the Senate legislative process can now consider the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act .

They know what this industry not only means to Florida, but to America. They know that small family owned professional tobacconists from Boston to Seattle are part of the community fabric, represent thousands of jobs, for a product not addictive, nor marketed to children, and enjoyed for leisure by adults. In other words, not any of the reasons Congress passed and the President signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Regulating cigars simply goes beyond any legislative intent. H.R. 1639 and now S. 1461 clarify that point.

This week, the CRA Board of Directors and staff met in Washington, DC, and subsequently made calls on members of Congress in an effort to advance this legislation. In cooperation with industry allies such as the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, progress is being made against those dedicated to the prohibition of tobacco.

It’s Time to Thank Them for Their Leadership
We want to extend a sincere word of thanks to U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio for this action, and we hope you will join us in expressing that appreciation. Please call, email or drop a note to these two US Senators for this act of leadership on your behalf. We can assure you, our opposition will be making their feelings known. Let them know, they did the right thing for the cigar enthusiasts of America.

Please call the offices of your members of the United States Senate, and ask them to join S. 1461 as a Sponsor!

NEW SPONSORS FOR H.R. 1639 in the U.S. House of Representatives
There was progress on the other side of the U.S. Capitol, as well. H.R. 1639 now has 43 sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, with Congressmen Sanford Bishop. Howard Coble, and Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Dennis Cardoza of California, and Tim Ryan of Ohio joining with many of their colleagues in standing up for liberty.

They join the ranks of not only their fellow members of Congress as sponsors of H.R. 1639, but specifically join the bi-partisan leadership of Congressman Bill Posey and Congresswoman Kathy Castor. Republicans and Democrats are coming together on this issue, and we need to recognize it with our appreciation.

Please join your brethren cigar enthusiasts in thanking these members of the United State Congress for this act of leadership, on your behalf.

What you can do:

• Sign the FDA petition supporting H.R. 1639.
• Cut and paste the CRA link to our petition, and spread it among your own network of cigar club members, fellow cigar enthusiasts, and for cigar shop owners, place on your web site and in your promotional emails, so that we can reach all of Cigar Nation.
• Call your member of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Tell them to send FDA a message, “Leave My Cigars Alone!”
• Ask your member of Congress and the U.S. Senate to sign-on as a sponsor of H.R. 1639 or S. 1461.

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