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TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
EDITOR’S NOTE
B
y the time you read this, the nation will have a new
leader. At the moment, however, the close of the
most contentious presidential campaign in decades
is still several days away—and, we think it’s safe to say, ea-
gerly anticipated by both sides.
Whether you’ve been enthralled or appalled by the de-
gree of drama invoked during this particular election year,
there’s no denying that it’s been hugely distracting. And as
passionately as the different factions feel about their respec-
tive candidates, there seems to be one thing on which both
sides agree: it will be a tremendous relief to stop poring over
diatribes about missing emails and tax returns and be able
to channel all that time and energy back into taking care of
our businesses.
After all, as several of contributors to this issue have point-
ed out, there is plenty to do on that front—much of it related
to regulation. For example, Cigar Rights of America’s Glynn
Loope urges premium cigar retailers to support a joint effort
by CRA, CAA and IPCPR to cut off funding for the FDA to use
in its effort to regulate cigars (See p. 72).
In a similar vein, associations representing the embattled
vapor industry are calling upon retailers for help. In A Vapor
Voice (p. 84), Tony Abboud outlines a step-by-step way for
both business owners and consumers to make their voices
heard in support of the Cole-Bishop Amendment, which
would change the predicate date for newly deemed tobacco
products to August 8, 2016. SFATA’s Pamela Gorman also
urges retailers to support Cole-Bishop and, in her column on
page 20, describes an ambitious grass-roots cross-country
advocacy bus tour her organization is conducting. In addi-
tion to support for Cole-Bishop, SFATA is calling on vapor
retailers to speak out against “regressive sin taxes” on vap-
ing products, which have been under consideration in more
than 25 states over the past 18 months.
With all that’s happening on the regulatory front, it can be
hard to stay current on top industry issues—let alone the in-
novative new products and trends reshaping the market. For-
tunately, this year’s Tobacco Plus Expo brings top-of-mind
topics, fresh ideas, and market introductions under one roof
with the addition of a series of educational sessions. Attend-
ees can hear from their peers at morning presentations on
topics ranging from running a successful humidor program
to the profit potential of cannabis accessories then spend the
afternoon browsing all of the latest tobacco products and ac-
cessories on the trade show floor. Sessions on federal and
local regulatory developments led by NATO’s Tom Briant (See
p. 80) are sure to be a show highlight.
With both a new administration and newly elected leaders
at the state and local government level likely to play a part
in the business climate going forward, digesting the election
outcome is sure to fodder for discussion at the show.
TBI
in-
tends to get that conversation rolling with a feature story by
TBI
’s senior editor, Renee Covino, who will be talking to retail-
ers about their post-election plans over the next few weeks.
If you have political views to share, please reach out to us at
editor@tobonline.com.We would love to hear from you.
See you at the show!
—Jennifer Gelfand
Getting Back to Business
Whether you’ve been
enthralled or appalled
by the degree of drama
invoked during this
particular election year,
there’s no denying that it’s
been hugely distracting.