When it comes to making it as easy as possible for cigar retailers and consumers to voice their opinion to the FDA about the regulation of premium cigars, it can’t be said that J.C. Newman Cigar Company isn’t doing its part.

This week, the company began distributing 100,000 postcards to its network of retailers across the country as part of its “Save Cigar City” campaign. The cards come pre-addressed to the FDA with a message asking the FDA to exempt premium cigars from regulation and save J.C. Newman’s historic cigar factory in Tampa, Fla. All that a person must do to send their comments is pick up a postcard, sign their name, and drop it in the mail, as J.C. Newman is paying for the postage as well.

“As the FDA reconsiders the regulation of premium cigars, we wanted make it easy as possible for cigar connoisseurs to share their comments with the FDA,” said Eric Newman via a press release. “It is critically important for our leaders in Washington to hear from adults across America who enjoy premium cigars.”

The FDA recently announced an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding whether the agency should reevaluate how it regulates premium cigars. The FDA has set a deadline of June 25 for the public to comment on the regulations, which can also be submitted online, including through a website set up by J.C. Newman.

“We are very grateful to Commissioner Gottlieb and the FDA for their willingness to take a fresh look at regulation of premium cigars and for giving us this new opportunity to submit comments,” said Drew Newman in a statement. “We also greatly appreciate all of the premium cigar retailers across the country who are helping us spread the word about FDA regulation and encouraging their customers to submit comments to the FDA.”

The message also supports more detailed comments that J.C. Newman, the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association, Cigar Rights of America, and the Cigar Association of America are filing with the FDA that explain the issue in more depth.

“As a 123-year-old, four-generation, family-owned cigar company, we want to be able to stay in business for another 123 years,” said Bobby Newman in a press release. “Unfortunately, complying with FDA regulations will cost our historic cigar factory in Tampa, Florida approximately $30 million — three times its annual gross sales. Many other premium cigar businesses will be forced to close as well if the government doesn’t relieve us of the burdens of FDA regulation.”

Cigar retailers who would like a set of postcards for their store are invited to contact their J.C. Newman and Arturo Fuente regional sales manager, or call 813-248-2124.

Image courtesy of J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.