PCA Magazine 2022 Show Issue

16 PCA The Magazine | VOLUME 2 2022 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG ADVOCATE T he words government and common sense are not often used in the same sentence, and the cigar industry being the target of legislation and regulation doesn’t make for an ideal situation. The current state of affairs should cause all of us to pause for a moment to reflect on ways the premium cigar industry can “keep the government off our back,” and the steps consumers and companies can take to prevent political intervention. It was that school of thought that prompted the Premium Cigar Association to launch a “self-regulation” initiative that began February 1 with the release of our responsible marketing statement ( premiumcigars.org/news/pca-on-the- subject-of-responsible-marketing ). The statement’s purpose is for the industry to consider its public communications as the ideal opportunity to message what we know to be true: that the premium cigar industry is adult-focused and doesn’t market to children. The statement fostered debate and conversations about marketing, self-regulation and the important role that consumers, retailers and manufacturers play in maintaining a healthy marketplace. PCA is committed to protecting the industry, will be furthering these conversations at the PCA 2022 Trade Show and will be working on actionable steps to keep legislators and regulators from infringing upon our ability to enjoy premium cigars as legal-aged adults. Marketing, and the manner in which the industry communicates, is under the political and bureaucratic microscope. The issuance of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report highlights this point where they note the lack of formal self-regulation standards. The report reads, “Sufficient evidence indicates that the tobacco industry does not self-regulate its marketing practices for any product and that restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion can influence health consequences, including addiction and decreasing exposure among targeted populations and the deceptive or misleading nature of marketing.” In other words, if we do not police ourselves, the government will invite itself to take action. The premium cigar arena doesn’t need names like “candy bar,” “chocolate brownie,” “whipped cream,” and “milk & cookies,” nor should it have Marvel comic book characters on packaging. As the leading representatives of the premium cigar industry before the FDA, Congress, the White House and state legislators, we strongly believe this activity puts the industry at risk and should cease immediately. At all levels of government there is zero-tolerance when it comes to marketing tobacco products to children. The government’s definitions are broad and ambiguous, so even the appearance of impropriety invites intervention. With this new microscope on the industry and impending new leadership in the tobacco regulatory ranks at the FDA, it is ever more important for the industry to set its own standards. It is that proverbial moment when you have to ask: Would you like to write your own rules, or have the government do it for you? A case in point just presented itself in New York state this week. State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne and 15 of his colleagues have introduced A.B. 9732, calling upon the candy and confectionery industry to stop packaging and distribution of candy that resembles tobacco products. The legislation notes “these candies are a thing of the past ... yet still remain legal for sale and are still on the shelves of some local stores.” The age-old premise to the bill is that it sends the wrong message to children and normalizes such “habits” with young, impressionable minds. While the cigar industry is not underwriting the production and sale of such candy, it raises the question, should the cigar industry support a ban on bubble gum cigars (which are specifically noted in the legislation)? And would doing so promote additional action that targets actual tobacco product packaging and marketing? Regardless, the bill causes us to think about how we position ourselves as an industry. As the original PCA responsible marketing statement indicated, we are not here to stifle creativity but to set up guardrails that protect the industry at large from isolated incidents. We know our own industry and we should be writing the rules, not the government. As the voice of premium cigars, PCA is working on actionable steps to demonstrate our commitment in this regard. We will be fostering opportunities for industry discussion, including dedicated time at the PCA 2022 Trade Show. As we head down that road, we appeal to you for constructive input and support. The future of our industry depends on it. Let's Not Candy Coat the Situation Responsible marketing will benefit the entire industry Josh Habursky Deputy Executive Director [email protected] Glynn Loope Director of State Affairs [email protected]