H.R. 2111 would exempt premium cigars from federal tobacco regulations under the Food and Drug Administration's authority. The bill defines a premium cigar narrowly—requiring it to be handmade with whole tobacco leaf wrapper and binder, at least 50 percent long filler tobacco, no filters or flavorings beyond tobacco, and relatively heavy weight—and removes these products from federal tobacco product oversight. The bill primarily affects small, family-owned premium cigar manufacturers and retailers, who argue the industry represents only 1 percent of the cigar market with limited youth use and lower health risks than other tobacco products. The bill relies on findings from a 2022 National Academies of Sciences report suggesting premium cigar smoking poses fewer health consequences than other tobacco products because users typically smoke occasionally and do not inhale. No specific funding or timeline provisions are included in the legislation.
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