IPCPR Hosts Educational Briefing for Congressional Cigar Association
Washington, D.C. May 3, 2010
In May 2009, several Congressional staff members who shared a passion for premium cigars got together and created the Congressional Cigar Association (CCA). Now 150 strong and growing, the group hosts a variety of social events to educate Congressional staff and Members of Congress about the premium cigar industry as well as share their enjoyment of hand-made cigars and the camaraderie they foster. Since the beginning, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association has been an integral part of the growth of CCA, under the leadership of Joe Rowe, executive director, and Chris McCalla, legislative director, with the support and involvement of several retail and associate members of the IPCPR, its Board of Directors under Gary Pesh, and the Board’s Legislative Committee chaired by Ken Neumann, and the Associate Member Advisory Board.Most recently, the IPCPR hosted an informal Congressional staff briefing for CCA members and other House and Senate staffers on April 29 in the Capitol Visitors Center. The one-hour briefing featured presentations by Rocky Patel, of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars in Bonita Springs, Florida; Gary Pesh of Old Virginia Tobacco in Warrenton, Virginia; Tiffany Rumbo of Club Humidor in San Antonio, Texas; and Jeff Borysiewicz of Corona Cigar Co. in Orlando, Florida. More than 65 staffers showed up to learn how premium cigars are made, about the countries that produce them and the economic impact of the cigar industry in these countries, and about IPCPR retailers, which are largely mom-and-pop small businesses. In addition, open forum discussions were held, focusing on the effects of legislation on premium cigar retailers, especially tax-based Congressional and regulatory actions.Attendees also received background information about IPCPR, premium cigars, retailers and manufacturers, and how misinformation about the health aspects of premium cigars and pipe tobacco is misleading opinion leaders and the general public. “I can’t tell you how many times these staffers walked up to me and said ‘I had no idea!’ regarding the information we shared with them,” said McCalla. “It was further proof that we need to continue to communicate with legislators, opinion leaders and the general public in order to get our story out regarding the specialness of premium cigars and pipe tobacco. The fate of our industry could well depend on it.”The CCA is an official “Congressional Staff Organization,” which is officially recognized by Congress.“The quarterly cigar events that CCA hosts, along with the educational staff briefings and informal cigar socials, are all opportunities to get together and build relationships. Sure, we talk about premium cigar and premium tobacco issues, but these staffers are rarely able to get together in a semi-social way to trade opinions over cigars and they are grateful to us for providing them with the platform to do so,” McCalla said. “IPCPR will continue to support the growth of CCA and partner with them on their upcoming events.”
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Contact: Tony Tortorici 678-493-0313
Special to Cigar Trade Press - IPCPR Communication to its members:
April 30, 2010--On April 26, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to which the FDA reports, published its semiannual regulatory agenda as required by law. The agenda is an inventory of rulemaking actions currently under development within the Department.
Included under the "Proposed Rule Stage" was a notice that the FDA intends to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking "which would deem cigars to be subject to the Tobacco Control Act and include provisions to address public health concerns raised by cigars."
The notice indicated a target date of June 2010 for publishing the notice.
The Tobacco Control Act that was signed into law in June, 2009 gave FDA the authority over all tobacco products. However, FDA only has immediate authority to regulate cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco - not cigars or pipe tobacco.
In order to regulate cigars and/or pipe tobacco, the FDA is required to go through a rulemaking process. The notification that the FDA is working on a proposed rule is the beginning of what could be a lengthy process and is difficult to predict when the proposed rule will be issued (FDA frequently misses its target dates).
Once FDA proposes a rule, the agency is required to publish it in the Federal Register and allow at least 60 days for interested parties to comment. That is followed by the FDA's own review period (It is impossible to predict how long FDA will take to evaluate the comments). After that review, FDA could issue another proposed rule, a final rule, or refer a proposed rule to its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee for a report or recommendation.
It is critical to understand that much is unknown at this time. The lack of detail accompanying the FDA's notice means there is not a lot we know about what FDA might be thinking at this stage. It is important to remain vigilant until more details are known. The IPCPR continues its constant consultation with its FDA consultants to stay on top of this latest development. We also continue talking and sharing information with the CAA so everyone may be up-to-date and on the same page.
Tobacco Retailers Challenge News Reports on Roll-Your-Own, Pipe Tobaccos
November 18, 2009
Columbus, Georgia – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association came out swinging today by challenging news reports regarding the labeling switch of some roll-your-own tobacco brands to pipe tobacco by their manufacturers and claims that pipe tobaccos, which have been flavored for more than five centuries, are designed to appeal to minors.
“The anti-smoking forces once again are getting their underwear in a twist by reaching for straws in their attempts to besmirch our mom-and-pop members,” said Gary Pesh, president of the IPCPR. Pesh also is owner of a chain of retail tobacco stores in Virginia. “We the retailers didn’t make the marketing switch and we never market to or sell any kind of tobacco products to children.”
The Associated Press and other news sources have reported that some small producers have relabeled their RYO products as pipe tobacco to avoid having consumers pay newly increased tobacco taxes at the much higher RYO level.
Among other increases on tobacco products, the new RYO taxes jumped 2,000 percent per pound. RYO tobacco sales have plummeted while pipe tobacco sales are on the rise. Pesh believes it is due, in small part, to the label switch but mostly because many consumers who roll their own cigarettes are simply using pipe tobacco, which, because of lower taxes, is less expensive than RYO tobacco.
“The IPCPR is comprised of some 2,000 tobacconists, largely small, neighborhood businesses that maintain very high standards of ethics and professionalism. We didn’t support these tax increases but, now that they are here, we abide by the letter of the law,” Pesh said.
Pesh is particularly concerned with the well-funded anti-tobacco organizations claiming in the reports that his organization’s membership sells any kind of tobacco products to children, including flavored pipe tobacco.
“Pipe tobacco is marketed strictly to adults – as are all of the tobacco products we sell. It’s against the law to sell tobacco to minors. Period. As for pipe tobacco, it has been infused with a wide range of flavors to enhance and provide variety in its taste and aroma for the adult pipe smoker since the 1500s,” he said.
The new tax increases on tobacco products went into effect earlier this year to fund SCHIP, the government’s expanded children’s health insurance program.
“These tobacco taxes are never going to be enough to pay for SCHIP. If more people smoked, they might be enough, but we all know that smoking overall is on the decline, largely due to these very same increased taxes. In a way, the government is throwing out the baby with the bath water by over taxing tobacco,” said Pesh.
As for the news reports, Pesh emphasized that pipe tobacco and RYO tobacco are different products for different uses; that pipe tobacco has been flavored for five hundred years and has never been marketed to children; and that the IPCPR fully supports children’s healthcare but believes it should be funded by sources other than tobacco.
“Taxes aimed at modifying behavior have a way of backfiring. And the last thing we need is for government to further intrude on our businesses and personal lives,” he said.
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Contact: Tony Tortorici
678/493-0313
tony@tortoricipr.com
The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most active trade association representing and assisting retail tobacconists.
SALIDA, Colorado October 9, 2009 -- Twyla Rains, a professional tobacconist with Salida Cutlery & Smoke Shop in Salida, Colorado has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Rains has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Salida Cutlery & Smoke Shop is located at 132 W. Rainbow Blvd..
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DENVER, Colorado October 9, 2009 -- David Engleberg, a professional tobacconist with Capitol Cigars in Denver, Colorado has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Engleberg has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Capitol Cigars is located at 919 E. Colfax Avenue.
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Petaluma, California Oct. 9, 2009 -- Scott Rosner, a professional tobacconist with A man's World Cigar Shop in Petaluma, California has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Rosner has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Man's World is located at 106A Petaluma Blvd. North.
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PALM SPRINGS, California Oct. 9, 2009 -- Brian Hunsaker, a professional tobacconist with The Tinder Box #114 in Palm Springs, California has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Hunsaker has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
The Tinder Box is located at 200 N. Palm Canyon Drive.
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TULARE, California Oct.9, 2009 -- Benigno Salazar, a professional tobacconist with Cohiba House in Tulare, California has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Salazar has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Cohiba House is located at 214 E. Inyo Avenue.
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WALNUT CREEK, California Oct. 9, 2009 -- Robert Cherep, a professional tobacconist with Casa Belicoso Cigar Lounge in Walnut Creek, California has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Cherep has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Casa Belicoso is located at 2540 N. Main Street.
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LOS ANGELES, California Oct. 9, 2009 -- James Agopian and Robert Attala, professional tobacconists with Cohiba Cigar Lounge and 2nd St. Cigar Lounge & Gallery, respectively in Los Angeles have qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As members of IPCPR, Agopian and Attala have access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Cohiba Cigar Lounge is located at 6081 Center Drive and the 2nd Street Cigar Lounge is at 124 W. 2nd Street.
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CHANDLER, Arizona Oct. 9, 2009 -- Ronald Hardin Jr, a professional tobacconist with Maduro's Fine Cigars & Tobacco Chandler, Arizona has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Hardin has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Maduro's is located at 4991 S. Alma School Road.
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Fayetteville, Arkansas Oct. 9. 2009 -- Robert Srygley, a professional tobacconist with Wedington Cigar Shop in Fayetteville, Arkansas has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, Srygley has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Wedington Cigar Shop is located at 1193 N. Steamboat.
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Huntsville, Alabama Oct. 9, 2009 -- Naresh Chandiramani, a professional tobacconist with Vintage Wine & Cigar in Hunstville has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, (last name) has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Vintage is located at 355 Bridge Street in Town Center.
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Florence, Alabama October 9, 2009 - Kurt Wilson, a professional tobacconist with Truly Cigars in Florence, Alabama has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) .
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading industry organization representing retailers and manufacturers of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of tobacco products.
As a member of IPCPR, (last name) has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, scholarships and participation in community and legislative action programs.
Truly Cigars is located at 366 Cox Creek Parkway.
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Tony Tortorici
678/493-0313
tony@tortoricipr.com 
