Cigar Industry Responds to FDA’s Flavored Cigars Proposed Rule

Drew Estate, which is owned by Swisher, echoed much of what Swisher had to say, including that its entire portfolio of products will remain available for retailers and adult consumers without any expected interruptions.

Here’s more on what Drew Estate had to say about the proposed product standards:

“The evidence that does exist with respect to premium cigars, both traditional and flavored, shows occasional consumption by a small cohort of adults, and based on the government’s own studies, that youth usage is virtually non-existent.

“The overall public health community has increasingly supported a posture of allowing citizens to make their own informed health decisions. This FDA action, however, does the opposite. It restricts consumer choice and removes adult products from the market without scientific basis for doing so. FDA should suspend action on a flavor standard for cigars until further study is done on the manner of use of various types of cigars and its implications. Indeed, the report recently published by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at the request of FDA recognized the distinct usage patterns of premium cigars and concluded that further research was necessary. Adult cigar consumers should be empowered to weigh the evidence and risk as that information emerges and make fully educated choices.

“Drew Estate, individually and as a member of the Cigar Association of America, has been a responsible corporate partner with FDA and has sought to work with the agency not only to understand and meet its obligations but to educate the agency about premium cigars, including the economic impacts of regulation on our retail and wholesale partners. Drew Estate plans to vehemently oppose this measure with meaningful scientific and economic data, and encourages adult consumers, employees, retailers, and other stakeholders to make their views known to FDA and other policymakers.”

There are two public listening sessions planned by the FDA on the proposed product standards for flavored cigars scheduled to take place on June 13 and June 15. The docket for comments will be open starting on May 4 and will be open until July 5.

For all the latest news from the FDA, visit FDA.gov.