Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sam Graves Cosponsors Bill to Protect Cigar Companies from Regulation

Congressman Sam Graves has cosponsored a bill that would protect cigar manufacturers from FDA regulations. The bill, HR 1639, would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the FDA's jurisdiction over small businesses involved in the sale, manufacture, and distribution of traditional and premium cigars. The bill goes on to limit the FDA's jurisdiction over traditional large and premium cigars and prohibits the secretary of the FDA from promulgating any regulations on any matter that involves such products.

The bill defines traditional large and premium cigars as any roll of tobacco that is wrapped in leaf tobacco, contains no filter, and weighs at least six pounds per 1,000 count; it does not include cigarettes or little cigars. The bill does not define small businesses.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Subcommittee on Health.

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