The FDA is accepting comments regarding it's role in defining and making exemption for premium cigars in the proposal to further regulate tobacco products. I believe it is in our best interest to encourage and submit information as it pertains to our passion.
Please comment, there is a link on Cigar Afficiados webpage and I assume through other means(most convient for me). Here was my submission
To Whom It May Concern,
Premium cigars are considered to be the designation for cigars and tobacco products that are intended to be blended and manufactured under special conditions to articulate unique and desired flavors and aromas to be used for hand rolled cigars and hand blended pipe tobacco. These processes dictate hand processing and time honored knowledge and education regarding tobacco varieties, structure, attributes, flavors, combustibility, nicotine, aroma, fermentation, etc. which ultimately culminates in what is to be considered a premium cigar (tobacco product, premium pipe tobacco, hand made). These processes require hands on labor intensive preparation and moderate machinery to facilitate product consistency and safety as well as knowledge passed on through generations of family trade.
While the tobacco industry as a whole relies on a combined knowledge of the nightshade family of plants, premium tobacco products are intended for those who has a refined palate and who enjoy the flavors and heritage of fine tobacco products that are savored and valued far beyond a nicotine "hit". I've spent a short part of my life working in a cigar lounge and a vast majority of the patrons were not young smokers. They were generally in there 30's and above. Young smokers would come in from time to time and often be overwhelmed with the advanced nature of the premium cigar industry and would often never be seen again or be very infrequent. Young smokers would also not be as easily persuaded to spend more money on premium cigars and pipe tobacco often showing financial restraint when compared to the average cigar smoker who was knowledgeable and selective as to what they valued in there cigar of choice. Pipe tobacco is even more selective in its use among young smokers. Youth, when considering valid statistics, just do not smoke pipe tobacco. A vast majority of premium tobacco users are very absent minded about tobacco pipe smoking unless they smoke a pipe, and those who do are few and far between. However, the passion that is shared among pipes smokers and premium cigar smokers is bar none. The value that is placed on the unique nature of these hand blended select tobaccos is truly special.
All people understand the risks of smoking. No one is misguided or uneducated as to the harmful nature of smoking. There is more to it than that. Alcohol abuse, opiate addiction, obesity plague our nation. No one forces you to eat fat, unhealthy foods. No one forces you to drink alcohol and destroy your liver. Everyone understands the risks, personal reasons for use may vary. Ultimately its user choice.
Do not change the labeling or take away the manufactures right to design a product how they see fit for sale. These products have been around for 100's of years and history isn't a bad thing. When i buy a "coke" or "big mac" or "organic beans" I expect nice concise informal packaging. I expect the packaging to be appropriate for it is, as such making a product different in order to explain the obvious is absurd and unnecessary.
In conclusion I am a former Army veteran and currently in school for Respiratory Therapy, I smoke briar pipes and absolutely love it. I smoke cigars and like them very much. I don't like the idea of taking away my ability or rights to have products that i desire which are legal and available, especially something I regard highly and truly appreciate. The craft, care, love, and labor associated with the "premium cigar/tobacco" industry is bar none and is time honored, celebrated and respected. Unique, ireeplacable, and undienably a choice that should be the "peoples" and no others.
Please comment, there is a link on Cigar Afficiados webpage and I assume through other means(most convient for me). Here was my submission
To Whom It May Concern,
Premium cigars are considered to be the designation for cigars and tobacco products that are intended to be blended and manufactured under special conditions to articulate unique and desired flavors and aromas to be used for hand rolled cigars and hand blended pipe tobacco. These processes dictate hand processing and time honored knowledge and education regarding tobacco varieties, structure, attributes, flavors, combustibility, nicotine, aroma, fermentation, etc. which ultimately culminates in what is to be considered a premium cigar (tobacco product, premium pipe tobacco, hand made). These processes require hands on labor intensive preparation and moderate machinery to facilitate product consistency and safety as well as knowledge passed on through generations of family trade.
While the tobacco industry as a whole relies on a combined knowledge of the nightshade family of plants, premium tobacco products are intended for those who has a refined palate and who enjoy the flavors and heritage of fine tobacco products that are savored and valued far beyond a nicotine "hit". I've spent a short part of my life working in a cigar lounge and a vast majority of the patrons were not young smokers. They were generally in there 30's and above. Young smokers would come in from time to time and often be overwhelmed with the advanced nature of the premium cigar industry and would often never be seen again or be very infrequent. Young smokers would also not be as easily persuaded to spend more money on premium cigars and pipe tobacco often showing financial restraint when compared to the average cigar smoker who was knowledgeable and selective as to what they valued in there cigar of choice. Pipe tobacco is even more selective in its use among young smokers. Youth, when considering valid statistics, just do not smoke pipe tobacco. A vast majority of premium tobacco users are very absent minded about tobacco pipe smoking unless they smoke a pipe, and those who do are few and far between. However, the passion that is shared among pipes smokers and premium cigar smokers is bar none. The value that is placed on the unique nature of these hand blended select tobaccos is truly special.
All people understand the risks of smoking. No one is misguided or uneducated as to the harmful nature of smoking. There is more to it than that. Alcohol abuse, opiate addiction, obesity plague our nation. No one forces you to eat fat, unhealthy foods. No one forces you to drink alcohol and destroy your liver. Everyone understands the risks, personal reasons for use may vary. Ultimately its user choice.
Do not change the labeling or take away the manufactures right to design a product how they see fit for sale. These products have been around for 100's of years and history isn't a bad thing. When i buy a "coke" or "big mac" or "organic beans" I expect nice concise informal packaging. I expect the packaging to be appropriate for it is, as such making a product different in order to explain the obvious is absurd and unnecessary.
In conclusion I am a former Army veteran and currently in school for Respiratory Therapy, I smoke briar pipes and absolutely love it. I smoke cigars and like them very much. I don't like the idea of taking away my ability or rights to have products that i desire which are legal and available, especially something I regard highly and truly appreciate. The craft, care, love, and labor associated with the "premium cigar/tobacco" industry is bar none and is time honored, celebrated and respected. Unique, ireeplacable, and undienably a choice that should be the "peoples" and no others.