From the Cigar Rights of America website:

SENATE BILL – Help Exempt Premium Cigars From FDA Regulation!
SENATE BILL (S. 1461) – Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011
Congress is listening! We now have S. 1461, the companion bill to H.R. 1639 in the U.S. Senate (we have 45 co-sponsors for HR 1639 — critical legislation to protect small business retail cigar shop owners from FDA regulation).

We need your continuing vigilance and advocacy, NOW!

Contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to co-sponsor S. 1461! The introduction of S. 1461 is a tremendous step forward and to ultimately succeed, we need your Senators’ support and co-sponsorship.

Do not wait for the FDA to regulate premium cigars out of existence. Please contact your Members of Congress and your U.S. Senators to ask for their support of H.R. 1639 and S. 1461!

Take Action Now!

From the Cigar Rights of America Website:

HOUSE BILL (H.R. 1639) – Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act

Whereas on April 26, 2010, December 20, 2010, and July 7, 2011 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration publicly posted their intent to regulate cigars in the Federal Register, it is incumbent upon the cigar enthusiasts of the United States to voice their opposition to any proposed new regulation of premium/traditional cigars by the United States Government.

House Resolution 1639 has been filed in the U.S. House of Representatives, under the banner of the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act. This bi-partisan legislation would decree that premium/traditional cigars should be off limits to FDA regulation and, ‘to clarify the Food & Drug Administration’s jurisdiction’ in the ‘sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars.’

Such legislation could have a profound impact on protecting the industry, from the fields and factories of Central America , to the supply-chain throughout this nation, to the community tobacconist, to enjoying a cigar in the local shop, club or back porch.

We can assure you, nothing could rip the soul of the cigar industry apart, like FDA actions. For example, some of the (again) hypothetical possibilities, but that are not beyond the realm of reason include: No more walk in humidors (Canadian model); Limits on advertising and promotions; Banning the very word cigar or tobacco; Manufacturers having to submit blends to FDA for “testing,” before heading to your local shop – imagine the impact on boutique cigar makers; Adverse impact on flavored tobacco products; And price impact due to new fees on manufacturers. This, is the short list.

Take ACTION NOW!