Trump Plans to Nominate RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary
Despite being the nephew of noted cigar lover President John F. Kennedy, the cigar world probably doesn’t want Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “going wild” on tobacco regulation. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Swisher Paid Trump’s White House Chief of Staff to Lobby Congress on FDA Issues
Susie Wiles, co-chair of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, has been selected as his chief of staff. Earlier this year, Swisher paid a lobbying firm $30,000 to have Wiles lobby Congress on “FDA regulations.”
Hearing for FDA Premium Cigar Lawsuit Appeal Scheduled for Sept. 13 (Update)
Today, July 15, is the eight year anniversary of the filing of the lawsuit. Its next chapter will take place in a D.C. court room in September. Update: We now know the judges assigned to the case.
FDA Finally Issues Tobacco 21 Rule
It’s been almost five years since Donald J. Trump signed into law a bill that increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. Tomorrow—about 1,500 days later than originally planned—the last of the paperwork will be filed to make this rule official.
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Deference, a Likely Hit to FDA’s Tobacco Regulatory Authority
Today’s landmark ruling will almost certainly limit the FDA’s ability to regulate tobacco products, including cigars. Chevron has been repeatedly mentioned in the premium cigar industry’s nearly eight-year-old lawsuit against FDA regulation.
FDA, HHS Ask Court to Dismiss Menthol Cigarette Ban Lawsuit
While this case does not explicitly affect cigars, if FDA and HHS lose this case, it would accelerate a decision about whether to ban flavored cigars. Currently, that decision is on an indefinite hold.
House Subcommittee Goes After FDA’s Plans for Flavored Cigar/Menthol Bans, Nicotine Limits
A House of Representative Subcommittee voted, on party lines, to prevent the FDA from enacting the flavored cigar and menthol cigarette bans, as well as restrictions on nicotine limits, until after the agency adjust its policies regarding vaping products.
Seven Questions: White House Delays Menthol Cigarette Ban
…and what this has to do with cigars.
Biden Administration Delays Planned Menthol Cigarette Ban
The menthol delay almost certainly means that a proposed ban on flavored cigarettes is also indefinitely delayed.
FDA Sued Over Menthol Cigarette Ban Delay
FDA is once again getting sued for not banning tobacco products quickly enough. Of note, technically, this lawsuit only applies to the menthol cigarette ban and not the flavored cigar ban.
Court Grants Cigar Industry More Time to Respond to FDA’s Appeal of Premium Cigar Lawsuit (Update)
Attorneys representing the cigar industry have asked the court to let them have until April 1, 2024 to respond to the government’s appeal. The government is opposed, allegedly interested in having oral arguments heard on the appeal in May.
