The Cigar Association of America (CAA) today announced that it is launching an internet portal so that adult cigar consumers can comment on the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed tobacco product standard on characterizing flavors in cigars.

CAA president David Ozgo noted that, “It is unfortunate that in public policy debates, the average adult consumer is often given little say in the matter.  We developed this portal to give adult consumers a voice on this important issue.”

He went on to state, “The choice of which legal products adult consumers have a right to enjoy should be left entirely to adult consumers.  Cigars come in a wide variety of styles, with differing flavor profiles.  Adult consumers have different tastes and preferences and prefer to have a wide variety of choices of cigars.  Price is important as well.  As a result, for those adults that choose to enjoy a cigar, cigar manufacturers offer a cigar for every taste and occasion, and for every budget.”

A significant percentage of all cigars may be considered to have a characterizing flavor.  This is true for premium cigars, and even more so for popular priced cigars, where much of the category may be considered to have a characterizing flavor.  As a result, FDA’s proposal to prohibit characterizing flavors in cigars will fall particularly hard on those who more frequently purchase popular priced cigars.

Mr. Ozgo also observed, “Flavored cigar youth usage rates are currently at historic lows, less than 1% in one recent government survey.  Banning characterizing flavors in cigars, therefore, will do little beyond denying adult consumers the right to purchase a legal product.”

Consumers wishing to comment on the FDA’s proposal can access CAA’s portal by clicking on the Consumer Choice Portal.

For further information please contact CAA at 202-223-8204 or email David Ozgo at dozgo@cigarassociation.org.