Prior to the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, I asked our readers if there was anything they’d like to see us cover that we didn’t already do. The overwhelming response was readers wanted to know more about how cigar companies were dealing with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) deeming regulations, which went into effect last August.

As such, we developed a short 10-question multiple choice survey that cigar companies were asked to fill out anonymously. In the end, we got results back from 34 companies, which probably represented just over a quarter of all the cigar companies at the annual trade show.

The results are interesting and while there may not be any surprises, they do confirm that companies with large revenue are handling FDA differently compared to those with smaller revenue.

Highlights include:

  • 44 percent of all companies say they have not met with FDA in any capacity
  • 44 percent of companies indicate they have not submitted any products for grandfathering or substantial equivalence
  • None of the 18 companies generating less than $5 million in revenue indicated they had discontinued a single product because of FDA regulations
  • Five of the 34 companies surveyed indicated they introduced at least 1,000 new phantom cigars, SKUs that were released in small quantities prior to Aug. 8, 2016 solely to meet a deadline set by FDA regarding whether products must be pre-approved before they are allowed on the market.

The full results are published below in the exact order that we asked companies, additionally, I’ve provided a breakdown of responses based on how companies defined their revenue.

Please note: two of the 34 companies declined to answer any questions. Their surveys were left blank and tabulated. A few respondents answered some questions but declined to answer others. We told participants that they were free to leave any and all questions blank they did not feel comfortable answering.


FULL SURVEY (34 COMPANIES)

What is the annual revenue of the company?

  • Under $5 million: 52.94 percent
  • $5-10 million: 11.76 percent
  • Over $10 million: 17.65 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 17.65 percent

How has the company handled its FDA compliance process to date? (Mark all that apply)

  • Without Assistance: 14.71 percent
  • Hired an Attorney: 73.53 percent
  • Hired a non-legal Firm: 11.76 percent
  • Hired a Laboratory: 14.71 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.88 percent

Has the company submitted a grandfather or substantial equivalence submission?

  • Yes: 47.06 percent
  • No: 44.12 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 8.82 percent

Has the company met directly with FDA? (Mark all that apply)

  • Yes (In Person): 11.76 percent
  • Yes (Via Phone): 29.41 percent
  • Yes (Via Email): 32.35 percent
  • No: 44.12 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.88 percent

Is there a person working at the company whose primary responsibility is FDA compliance?

  • Yes: 64.71 percent
  • No: 26.47 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.88 percent

Has the company increased prices directly due to FDA-related costs?

  • Yes: 35.29 percent
  • No: 58.82 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.88 percent

Does the company intend on discontinuing products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 26.47 percent
  • No: 64.71 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 8.82 percent

Has the company already discontinued products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 11.76 percent
  • No: 79.41 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 8.82 percent

How many SKUs did the company introduce prior to Aug. 8, 2016 with the intention of marketing them more fully at a later date?

  • Less than 100: 55.88 percent
  • 100-500: 17.65 percent
  • 500-1,000: 2.94 percent
  • More than 1,000: 14.71 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 8.82 percent

Within the last 12 months has anyone from the company met directly with a U.S. Congressmen or Senator about FDA regulations?

  • Yes: 50 percent
  • No: 44.12 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.88 percent

COMPANIES GENERATING UNDER $5 MILLION IN REVENUE (18 COMPANIES)

How has the company handled its FDA compliance process to date? (Mark all that apply)

  • Without Assistance: 27.78 percent
  • Hired an Attorney: 66.67 percent
  • Hired a non-legal Firm: 11.1 percent
  • Hired a Laboratory: 11.11 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company submitted a grandfather or substantial equivalence submission?

  • Yes: 44.44 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 5.56 percent

Has the company met directly with FDA? (Mark all that apply)

  • Yes (In Person): 16.67 percent
  • Yes (Via Phone): 27.78 percent
  • Yes (Via Email): 38.89 percent
  • No: 38.89 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Is there a person working at the company whose primary responsibility is FDA compliance?

  • Yes: 61.11 percent
  • No: 38.89 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company increased prices directly due to FDA-related costs?

  • Yes: 22.22 percent
  • No: 77.78 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Does the company intend on discontinuing products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 16.67 percent
  • No: 77.78 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0 percent

Has the company already discontinued products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 0 percent
  • No: 100 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

How many SKUs did the company introduce prior to Aug. 8, 2016 with the intention of marketing them more fully at a later date?

  • Less than 100: 83.33 percent
  • 100-500: 11.11 percent
  • 500-1,000: 0 percent
  • More than 1,000: 5.56 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Within the last 12 months has anyone from the company met directly with a U.S. Congressmen or Senator about FDA regulations?

  • Yes: 50 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

COMPANIES GENERATING $5-10 MILLION IN REVENUE (4 COMPANIES)

How has the company handled its FDA compliance process to date? (Mark all that apply)

  • Without Assistance: 0 percent
  • Hired an Attorney: 100 percent
  • Hired a non-legal Firm: 0 percent
  • Hired a Laboratory: 25 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company submitted a grandfather or substantial equivalence submission?

  • Yes: 50 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company met directly with FDA? (Mark all that apply)

  • Yes (In Person): 0 percent
  • Yes (Via Phone): 50 percent
  • Yes (Via Email): 25 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Is there a person working at the company whose primary responsibility is FDA compliance?

  • Yes: 75 percent
  • No: 0 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 25 percent

Has the company increased prices directly due to FDA-related costs?

  • Yes: 75 percent
  • No: 25 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Does the company intend on discontinuing products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 25 percent
  • No: 75 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0 percent

Has the company already discontinued products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 25 percent
  • No: 75 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

How many SKUs did the company introduce prior to Aug. 8, 2016 with the intention of marketing them more fully at a later date?

  • Less than 100: 25 percent
  • 100-500: 50 percent
  • 500-1,000: 0 percent
  • More than 1,000: 25 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Within the last 12 months has anyone from the company met directly with a U.S. Congressmen or Senator about FDA regulations?

  • Yes: 25 percent
  • No: 75 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

COMPANIES GENERATING OVER $10 MILLION IN REVENUE (6 COMPANIES)

How has the company handled its FDA compliance process to date? (Mark all that apply)

  • Without Assistance: 0 percent
  • Hired an Attorney: 100 percent
  • Hired a non-legal Firm: 16.67 percent
  • Hired a Laboratory: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company submitted a grandfather or substantial equivalence submission?

  • Yes: 66.67 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company met directly with FDA? (Mark all that apply)

  • Yes (In Person): 16.67 percent
  • Yes (Via Phone): 50 percent
  • Yes (Via Email): 33.33 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Is there a person working at the company whose primary responsibility is FDA compliance?

  • Yes: 66.67 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Has the company increased prices directly due to FDA-related costs?

  • Yes: 50 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Does the company intend on discontinuing products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 66.67 percent
  • No: 16.67 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0 percent

Has the company already discontinued products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 33 percent
  • No: 66.67 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

How many SKUs did the company introduce prior to Aug. 8, 2016 with the intention of marketing them more fully at a later date?

  • Less than 100: 16.67 percent
  • 100-500: 33.33 percent
  • 500-1,000: 16.67 percent
  • More than 1,000: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

Within the last 12 months has anyone from the company met directly with a U.S. Congressmen or Senator about FDA regulations?

  • Yes: 66.67 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 0

COMPANIES WHO DECLINED TO SPECIFY REVENUE (6 COMPANIES)

How has the company handled its FDA compliance process to date? (Mark all that apply)

  • Without Assistance: 0 percent
  • Hired an Attorney: 50 percent
  • Hired a non-legal Firm: 16.67 percent
  • Hired a Laboratory: 0 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]This represents the two companies who declined to answer any questions.[/ref]

Has the company submitted a grandfather or substantial equivalence submission?

  • Yes: 33.33 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]

Has the company met directly with FDA? (Mark all that apply)

  • Yes (In Person): 0 percent
  • Yes (Via Phone): 0 percent
  • Yes (Via Email): 16.67 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]

Is there a person working at the company whose primary responsibility is FDA compliance?

  • Yes: 66.67 percent
  • No: 0 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]

Has the company increased prices directly due to FDA-related costs?

  • Yes: 33.33 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]

Does the company intend on discontinuing products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 16.67 percent
  • No: 50 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]

Has the company already discontinued products because of FDA deeming rules?

  • Yes: 16.67 percent
  • No: 33.33 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 50 percent

How many SKUs did the company introduce prior to Aug. 8, 2016 with the intention of marketing them more fully at a later date?

  • Less than 100: 33.33 percent
  • 100-500: 0 percent
  • 500-1,000: 0 percent
  • More than 1,000: 16.67 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 50 percent

Within the last 12 months has anyone from the company met directly with a U.S. Congressmen or Senator about FDA regulations?

  • Yes: 50 percent
  • No: 16.67 percent
  • Declined to Answer: 33.33 percent[ref]Please see above.[/ref]
Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.
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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.