LATEST NEWS [3.09.09]
On March 9th, Governor Kaine signed into law a statewide restaurant smoking ban at Croc's 19th St Bistro in VA Beach.
2009 General Assembly begins with flurry of anti-cigar legislation:
The 2009 session of the Virginia General Assembly began on January 14, with the premium cigar retail establishments of Virginia and their patrons being threatened as never before.
Fresh off the heals of the industry having to fight an unprecedented level of proposed federal taxation (and only receiving a compromise) on cigars in the US House of Representatives, legislators on the state level proposed another attempt to prevent cigar enthusiasts from around Virginia from enjoying a fine cigar.
Governor Tim Kaine was the first governor in Virginia history to support an across the board smoking ban in all Virginia restaurants and bars, including private clubs. In addition, numerous legislators from both the Democrat and Republican Party have filed varying versions of a smoking ban.
The Cigar Association of Virginia is a member of a broad based business coalition that has worked to defeat smoking ban legislation since 2006. As in 2008, this coalition has once again came together to defeat the Governor's and select members attempt for a smoking ban.
The group includes the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Retail Merchants Association, Cigar Association of America, International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Virginia Manufacturers Association, Americans for Prosperity, Cigar Rights of America, and the cornerstone member - the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.
Who We Are:
As you are aware, there have been numerous attacks on the retail tobacconists of Virginia and our customers. Smoking bans, taxation, and a general infringement on the ability of our customers to enjoy the products we offer are now a reality in the state of Virginia.
In response to these attacks, the Cigar Association of Virginia (CAV) has been formed as a political action committee for the retail tobacconists, our customers, and others that have an interest in the products we sell and the businesses that we run.
The primary goals of the Cigar Association of Virginia are:
This website is your portal for protecting the rights of the retail tobacconists and our customers. Please use this site to submit donations, contact the organization, and our legislators. Your support is critical in the successful accomplishment of the goals listed above!
