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New Study Raises Questions About Effectiveness of State E-Cigarette Directories
A new study examining state efforts to restrict unauthorized e-cigarette sales has raised questions about whether increasingly complex regulatory requirements are achieving their intended public health objectives. Published September 15th…
France's Generational Tobacco Ban Suffers Setback Amid Growing Debate Over Government Regulation - Cigar Rights
France’s latest attempt to establish a generational tobacco ban has suffered a legislative setback, raising questions about the future of a proposal that would permanently restrict tobacco sales to certain…
The FDA Just Streamlined Tobacco Registration — Here's Why Premium Cigar Consumers Should Still Pay Attention - Cigar Rights
On September 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a redesigned Form FDA 3741, consolidating establishment registration and product listing into a single filing for every regulated tobacco product…
Germany's Tobacco Tax Overhaul Puts Premium Cigars in the Crosshairs
On September 24, 2026, the German Bundestag held its first reading of the federal government’s draft amendment to the Tobacco Tax Act (Tabaksteuergesetz), a measure designed to raise excise duties…
New York's Tax Cap Bills: A Potential Model for Premium Cigar Tax Relief
If you buy premium cigars in New York, you already know the pain. The state currently taxes cigars at 75% of the wholesale price with no meaningful cap — making…
H.R. 2111 and Why the Mehta Definition Needs a Permanent Home in Federal Law - Cigar Rights
In August of 2023, Judge Amit P. Mehta handed the premium cigar industry one of the most important legal victories in its history, vacating the FDA’s regulatory authority over premium…
On The Right PATH
How PATH 8’s data shows that CRA’s definitional advocacy is critical to improving public health outcomes and crafting better regulations in the Tobacco Industry For more than a decade, Cigar…
Trump Administration Finalizes Section 301 Tariffs; Premium Cigar Imports Subject to New Duties
Yesterday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the Trump administration’s final action in its Section 301 investigations involving 60 trading partners regarding the importation of goods…
Germany Considers Significant Increase to Premium Cigar Taxes
Germany is considering a substantially revised tobacco tax proposal that would increase excise taxes on premium cigars beginning January 1, 2027. The latest draft amendment, released on July 13th, represents…
Ireland Becomes the Latest Country to Consider a Generational Tobacco Ban
Over the past year, one trend in tobacco regulatory policy has become impossible to ignore: more countries are beginning to consider generational tobacco bans. The Maldives and the United Kingdom…
Oregon Supreme Court Clears Final Legal Hurdle for Multnomah County Flavor Ban
Earlier this year, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) reported on the Oregon Supreme Court’s decision upholding Washington County’s flavored tobacco ordinance. In that case, the Court concluded that Oregon law…
France Becomes the Latest Country to Consider a Generational Tobacco Ban
Introduction The global movement toward generational tobacco bans continues to gain momentum. Just weeks ago, we highlighted Thailand’s consideration of a nicotine-free generation policy. Now, France has emerged as the…
CRA Engages on New FDA Proposal and USTR Tariff Review
Cigar Rights of America is actively responding to two significant federal developments involving FDA regulation and U.S. trade policy. FDA Proposes New Registration and Product-Listing Requirements The U.S. Food and…
Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of the Mehta Decision: A Monumental Victory for Premium Cigars
On August 9, 2023, the premium cigar industry experienced a groundbreaking victory when Judge Amit P. Mehta vacated FDA regulations regarding premium cigars.
Congress Returns & CRA Continues the Push for a Federal Definition of Premium Cigars
As Congress returned from its annual August recess, Cigar Rights of America continued pressing for support and passage of H.R. 2111, the CIGAR Act.
Rhode Island and Alaska Close Their Legislative Sessions with Mixed Results for Premium Cigars
As several state legislatures conclude their 2026 sessions, recent developments in Rhode Island and Alaska underscore the importance of continued engagement on issues affecting premium cigars. While Rhode Island lawmakers…
Retailers Continue to Drive CRA's Mission Forward
For nearly two decades, premium cigar retailers have served as one of the strongest pillars of support for Cigar Rights of America. Beyond introducing consumers to premium cigars and fostering…
Illinois Enacts 75-Cent Cigar Tax Cap
Illinois enacted a 75-cent per-cigar tax cap — a significant state-level tax win for the premium cigar industry.
Another Country Considers a Nicotine-Free Generation Policy: Thailand May Be Next
Introduction The global momentum behind Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) policies continues to accelerate. Following the Maldives and the United Kingdom’s adoption of a generational tobacco ban earlier this year, Thailand has…
New York Introduces Generational Tobacco Ban Legislation
New York has introduced generational tobacco ban legislation that, as drafted, would permanently deny future adults the ability to purchase legal tobacco products — including premium cigars.
Idaho Enacts Law Clarifying Mobile Cigar Retail and Event Permitting
House Bill 817 (HB 817) has been signed into law in Idaho, establishing new statutory clarity around mobile cigar retail operations and temporary cigar-related events. Brad Little signed the measure…
Belgium Scraps Certain Elements of Plain Packaging Requirements
On June 1st, Belgium was expected to fully implement new plain packaging requirements for tobacco products, including cigars. However, in a notable development for the premium cigar industry, the Belgian…
CRA Advances Post-Mehta Strategy Across Trade, Regulatory, and Federal Policy Fronts
Following the Judge Mehta ruling, CRA has continued advancing a coordinated post-Mehta strategy across trade, regulatory, and federal policy work.
CRA at FDLI: Why Engagement in Federal Regulatory Forums Matters More Than Ever
This month, Cigar Rights of America attended the 2026 Food and Drug Law Institute annual conference, an important gathering focused on the evolving landscape of tobacco and nicotine product regulation.
Oregon Supreme Court Upholds Washington County Flavor Ban, Opening the Door to Local Tobacco Regulation Across Oregon
Earlier this month, the Oregon Supreme Court issued a significant ruling upholding Washington County’s flavored tobacco ban, marking one of the most consequential state-level tobacco control decisions in recent years.…
Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Allows Trump Section 122 Tariffs to Remain in Effect During Appeal
On May 12th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a ruling temporarily pausing last week’s decision from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), which had…
Court of International Trade Rules Against Section 122 Tariffs
On May 7th, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a significant ruling striking down the Trump Administration’s 10 percent global tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade…
U.K. Moves First on Nicotine-Free Generation—Canada May Be Next
The United Kingdom (UK) has taken a significant step in tobacco control policy with the passage of its Tobacco and Vapes Act, establishing a “smoke-free generation” framework that will gradually…
CRA Navigates Active April Across Courts, Trade, and Federal Regulation
April was a highly active month for Cigar Rights of America (CRA), with significant developments across the courts, trade policy, and federal regulatory landscape that directly impact the premium cigar…
United Kingdom Moves Toward Generational Tobacco Ban
The United Kingdom has taken a significant step toward implementing a generational tobacco ban, with Parliament passing the Tobacco and Vapes bill on Tuesday, April 21st. The legislation will prohibit…
Industry Landmark: Federal Court Issues Final Ruling Exempting Premium Cigars from FDA Oversight
In a monumental victory for the premium cigar industry, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has issued a final ruling that officially…
Legislative Victories in Idaho & Kentucky Are Wins for the Premium Cigar Industry
The premium cigar industry recently secured two legislative victories this month, as lawmakers in Idaho and Kentucky moved to modernize regulation and provide meaningful tax relief. Idaho In a move…
Kentucky Legislature Passes Bill to Reduce Premium Cigar Tax Rate
Kentucky lawmakers have passed House Bill 757 (HB 757), a broad revenue package that includes a reduction in the state tax rate on premium cigars. The bill has now been…
Court of International Trade Hears Case Challenging Trump’s Section 122 Tariffs
On Friday, April 10th, the Court of International Trade (CIT) heard oral arguments in Burlap & Barrel v. Trump, a case challenging the Trump Administration’s use of Section 122 of…
Louisiana Bill Would Restructure Tobacco Distribution Through New Three-Tier System
A newly introduced bill in Louisiana, House Bill 623, would establish a three-tier distribution system for tobacco and vapor products, creating a regulatory structure similar to the one used in…
Tax Cap & Remote Sellers Legislation Introduced in New York
Companion legislation, A.5284B in the Assembly and S.2133A in the Senate, has been introduced in New York and would establish a tax cap per premium cigar while also creating a…
Cuba Developments Could Have Long-Term Implications for the Premium Cigar Industry
Following the change in leadership in Venezuela in February, recent developments involving Cuba have raised new questions about the island’s economic and political trajectory, including what a potential shift in…
Trump Administration Announces New Section 301 Investigation
On March 11th and 12th, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced a new round of investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting the…
Court of International Trade Issues Refund Order for Certain IEEPA Tariffs
Recent developments in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) have provided additional clarity regarding refunds for tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). On March 4,…
Tennessee Legislature Introduces Most Restrictive Online Sales Ban For Premium Cigars
Throughout the early part of this year (click here and here to read), Cigar Rights of America has consistently warned about the growing threat of shipping bans targeting premium cigars. We have already seen aggressive proposals emerge in…
Vermont Introduces Bill That Could Lead To A Defacto Ban on Cigar Shipments to Consumers
Earlier this month, we reported on the growing use of shipping restrictions as a policy tool to regulate tobacco products, and the likelihood that these efforts would accelerate during the 2026 legislative cycle. We highlighted previous…
Premium Cigar Shipping Regulations Take Center Stage in 2026 Legislative Session
As the 2026 legislative session begins to take shape, shipping regulations are emerging as a growing threat in tobacco control efforts targeting premium cigars. With mail-order sales accounting for a large percent of all premium cigar…
How the Big Beautiful Bill Is Driving New State Tobacco Tax Increases
Last year, President Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) into law. Among other provisions, the bill cut significant funding for federal social programs, shifting substantial financial obligations onto state budgets. The resulting…
The UTL: California’s New Tobacco Red Tape
California has never been shy about wielding its regulatory pen, but its latest maneuver demonstrates just how far officials are willing to stretch their authority. On August 6th, the California Attorney General’s Office announced an…
Industry Leaders Join CRA on Capitol Hill to Advocate for H.R. 2111
Last month, Cigar Rights of America joined industry leaders Jorge Padrón of Padrón Cigars and Cory Bappert of Oliva Cigar Company for multiple full days of advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill in support of the premium cigar industry.
Why Congress Needs to Pass the CIGAR Act
The CIGAR Act would establish a clear federal definition for premium cigars and exempt them from FDA regulations applied to mass-market tobacco products.
CRA Scores Major Victory Against FDA Regulation of Premium Cigars in Landmark Decision
Cigar Rights of America reviewed a major court decision affecting FDA regulation of premium cigars and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting premium cigar consumers, retailers, and manufacturers.
CRA Celebrates Historic Victory Against FDA
Yesterday’s final decision by US District Judge Amit P. Mehta in CAA et al v FDA completely struck down all U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on premium cigars.
30 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FORM CONGRESSIONAL CIGAR CAUCUS
Washington, DC: Earlier this month, the Congressional Cigar Caucus Caucus was approved as a Congressional Member Organization, better known as a caucus. The effort is being led by Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., who is serving as the chairperson,…