Dear Famous Smoke Shop Customer,
PLEASE READ the following important messages with regard to pending
legislation that would permit the FDA to REGULATE AND TAX the sale
of ALL tobacco products INCLUDING CIGARS and pipe tobacco. The second
message is from Norman Sharp, President of the Cigar Association of
America. I realize this email is lengthy, but please take the time
to read it and send a letter (a sample of which follows Norman's
remarks), to the representatives on the list (also provided). YOUR
CIGAR-SMOKING FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT. Here's why:
If this bill passes into law, it would grant the FDA UNLIMITED regulatory
power. That means tobacco would be regulated as are pharmaceuticals. This
alone would put many smaller manufacturers out of business, as they would
not have the wherewithal to comply with the rules.
Additionally, under the new pending legislation, it may become a fact that
Famous Smoke Shop and other Internet and mail order companies would be
PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Or, at minimum, we would
be REQUIRED TO COLLECT TAXES IN EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE STATES. This would
not be a legislative decision, but a unilateral mandate created solely
under the umbrella phrase, "appropriate for the protection of public
health."
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The new FDA authority would give the Federal Govt.
DE FACTO POWER TO BAN ALL CONVENTIONAL TOBACCO PRODUCTS, cigars included.
Again, this would fall under the umbrella in the proposed legislation of
their definition of "appropriate for the protection of public health."
Finally, the Senate version of the bill would grant the Federal Govt.
(FDA) the power to IMPOSE THESE MANDATES UPON MANUFACTURERS regardless
of cost, feasibility or even the existence of suitable technology.
Sincerely,
Arthur Zaretsky
President
Famous Smoke Shop-PA, Inc.
PLEASE READ the following important messages with regard to pending
legislation that would permit the FDA to REGULATE AND TAX the sale
of ALL tobacco products INCLUDING CIGARS and pipe tobacco. The second
message is from Norman Sharp, President of the Cigar Association of
America. I realize this email is lengthy, but please take the time
to read it and send a letter (a sample of which follows Norman's
remarks), to the representatives on the list (also provided). YOUR
CIGAR-SMOKING FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT. Here's why:
If this bill passes into law, it would grant the FDA UNLIMITED regulatory
power. That means tobacco would be regulated as are pharmaceuticals. This
alone would put many smaller manufacturers out of business, as they would
not have the wherewithal to comply with the rules.
Additionally, under the new pending legislation, it may become a fact that
Famous Smoke Shop and other Internet and mail order companies would be
PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Or, at minimum, we would
be REQUIRED TO COLLECT TAXES IN EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE STATES. This would
not be a legislative decision, but a unilateral mandate created solely
under the umbrella phrase, "appropriate for the protection of public
health."
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The new FDA authority would give the Federal Govt.
DE FACTO POWER TO BAN ALL CONVENTIONAL TOBACCO PRODUCTS, cigars included.
Again, this would fall under the umbrella in the proposed legislation of
their definition of "appropriate for the protection of public health."
Finally, the Senate version of the bill would grant the Federal Govt.
(FDA) the power to IMPOSE THESE MANDATES UPON MANUFACTURERS regardless
of cost, feasibility or even the existence of suitable technology.
Sincerely,
Arthur Zaretsky
President
Famous Smoke Shop-PA, Inc.