FDA May Get 'Smoked Out' by Cigar Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Florida Sens. Bill Nelson (D) and Marco Rubio (R) introduced bill 1461, intended to remove the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) possible future jurisdiction over the premium cigar industry. The bill, otherwise known as the "Traditional Cigar Manufacturing & Small Business Jobs Preservation Act," would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Cigar Aficionado. reported.

The bill is a companion to No. 1639, introduced in May by lawmakers and pro-cigar groups such as the Cigar Rights of America (CRA) and the International Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).

President Barack Obama gave the FDA regulatory control over virtually all tobacco products in 2009, when he signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law. However, cigars were excluded from the law.

Cigars are still not under FDA control, but the CRA, IPCPR and many others are fearful the FDA could be granted authority over cigars in the future. Several politicians apparently agree. According to the magazine, 43 House of Representative members from 22 states are now co-sponsoring bill 1439.