The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a notice in the Federal Register indicating that the agency intends to adopt a rule that would place cigars under the regulations and purview of the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act passed by Congress.  The notice published by the FDA states that the Act gives “FDA authority to regulate cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco.  Section 901 of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act, as amended, permits FDA to issue regulations deeming other tobacco products to be subject to the Tobacco Control Act.  This proposed rule would deem cigars to be subject to the Tobacco Control Act and include provisions to address public health concerns raised by cigars.”

AWMA will file comments objecting to FDA’s attempt to extend its authority beyond that which is spelled out in the law.