Guide to FDA’s Regulation of Cigars

In August 2016, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) deeming regulations went into effect, marking the first time that cigars had been federally regulated in the U.S.

The deeming regulations are a set of rules that affect nearly every facet of how cigars are sold in the U.S. While the larger rule went into effect in 2016, the individual parts are tiered, meaning most are still not in effect today. The agency indicated that it would provide further guidance on many of the more complex and important regulations, much of which it has not done yet. Further complicating manners are lawsuits by people and groups opposed and in favor of the deeming regulations.

This is the third iteration of halfwheel’s Guide to the Deeming Regulations. It is meant to be an educational document to allow you to understand how we got here, where we are and where we might go. — Charlie Minato.

Last updated: April 29, 2020.