Tobacco Business

[ 12 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS [ JANUARY / FEBRUARY | 22 ] 14 | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR With the TPE22 trade show just a few short weeks away, we’ve got the essential details of what you can expect at the upcoming show plus three things you can do now to prepare for it. STARTUP LEGISLATION 16 | FOR FURTHER REVIEW After issuing a series of marketing denial orders to many companies, the FDA is taking another look at some premarket tobacco product applications filed by vapor manufacturers. OPINION 18 | WHEN THE FDA ABANDONS SCIENCE Has the regulatory process for flavored ENDS products become too politicized? Here’s how the FDA’s approach could be putting consumers in harm’s way. 22 PAGE CONTENTS 38 PAGE 70 PAGE 78 PAGE ON THE COVER: JEREMY McKENNA PHOTO BY NICK DAVIS 22 | AVOIDING THE STRANGE DEATH OF THE CIGAR INDUSTRY Could gimmicky marketing and questionable branding choices by some spell impending doom for cigars in the U.S.? FEATURES 24 | THE INTEGRITY FACTOR Relationship building has always been part of Jeremy McKenna’s professional tools. Now he’s leveraging relationships and integrity to grow his business, Sutliff Tobacco Company. 38 | A BESPOKE PARTNERSHIP Casdagli Cigars began as a regional release before taking on the world. Find out what work must be done to grow a brand from a humble start to an international sensation. 48 | SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Hookah tobacco continues to present new opportunities to retailers, and Fantasia Distribution’s generous guarantee makes it easier than ever to bring in these unique tobacco products. 56 | MASS-MARKET APPEAL Mass-market cigar products have had a bad reputation for some time, but Frontier Brands’ focus on offering a better product at a competitive price point is shattering stereotypes. TOBACCONIST 64 | A “TERRIBLE” BUSINESS Have you ever been told that you have a terrible idea?These retailers took theirs and built a memorable brick-and-mortar and subscription business out of it. 70 | MULTI-CATEGORY RETAILER INSIGHTS A panel of retailers offer tips and advice on how to grow your retail business by managing and scaling multiple tobacco product categories within your store. 78 | RECONNECTING WITH RETAILERS A look back at Davidoff’s recent Gastronomy Tour events and its 2021 Golden Band Awards. 82 | THE YEAR BEHIND AND AHEAD OF US Operation: Cigars for Warriors looks back at the special collaborations and events that have taken place in the past year and teases what’s ahead for this charitable organization. ALTERNATIVE 88 | INSTINCTUAL GROWTH CannaAid has emerged in the hemp/ CBD market as a company whose products appeal to the consumer who is seeking wellness products at a competitive price point. 94 | TPE22 Your guide to some of this year’sTPE22 exhibitors, product releases and a new cigar lounge to visit inVegas during the trade show in January.