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TOBACCO OUTLET BUSINESS
MAY/JUNE 2012
That was about five years ago
when the OTP tax was historically
at its lowest, but there was talk of
raising it to double-digits and the
statewide smoking ban was being
proposed. Cass was among those
making their voices heard, and in
the end, the tax went up, but not
to the extent it could have. And
the smoking ban went into effect,
but traditional cigar retailers were
exempt.
“So we lost the war, but we won
a battle or two,” he recalls. But most
impressive to him was the process.
“It taught me that anyone in our
industry, and especially all store
owners, should know their local
legislators and visit their state
capitals,” he suggests. “They need to
be involved in their state associations
and make sure their voice is heard to
keep their businesses viable.”
Likewise, it’s critical to speak to
federal legislators, congressmen,
congresswomen and senators, and
let them know where the industry
stands on H.R. 1639, according to
Cass. “I have learned it’s a grass-
roots effort. The legislators in D.C.
want to know what their constituents
think, and it’s critical that store
owners go through the IPCPR and
CRA websites to send letters and
sign the petitions.” (Also see box,
“Sign the Petition.”)
He advises retailers to check out
the position on H.R. 1639 of their
local congressman and contact him
or her either way. If that person is a
co-sponsor of the bill, thank them
personally with a letter. If they are
not a co-sponsor, invite them to the
store, keeping in mind the following
points:
1. Remember it’s an election year;
invite them when they’re in recess
and they will come;
2. Give them time to respond in a
week or two;
3. When they accept your
invitation, and they will, it’s okay
to be nervous, but make sure you
are also prepared with talking
points. The IPCPR and CRA can
help tremendously with federal and
state information, including form
letters, position papers and packets
of information—their websites are
extremely user-friendly and letters
can be sent with “the click of a
mouse,” according to Cass;
4. When in person, stress that you
are a small business employer and
that this country was built on small
business creating jobs. The catch
phrase now at the state and federal
level is “job creation”;
5. Give a tour of your store,
pointing out its adult-only appeal;
6. Explain that H.R. 1639 is critical
to you and your business—outline
its goal of exempting traditional
and premium cigars only from FDA
legislation;
7. Point out the artisan and
handmade nature of premium cigars
in your store and explain that they
are a symbol of celebration and not
enjoyed out of habit;
8. Ask them outright to be a co-
sponsor of the bill, but expect them
to take time (weeks) to reflect and
consider it;
9. Although it’s a dynamic list
that changes frequently, states that
currently have the greatest need
for retailers to reach out to their
legislators include: Washington,
Virginia, New Jersey, Wisconsin,
Texas and Alabama, according to
Cass;
10. Remember that you and your
store getting involved can make a
difference.
TOB