In the Minnesota State Assembly, HF 2177 has been introduced that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. The prohibition includes an overly broad term of “characterizing flavor.”
This broad approach could negatively impact premium cigar & pipe retailers, consumers, and manufacturers depending on the administrative interpretation of “characterizing flavors.”
If the bill is not written explicitly identifying premium cigars and pipe tobacco as an exempt category, the prohibition could include many products carried by PCA member stores, and curtail the ability of retailers, manufacturers, and cigar media to educate consumers on products. Please reference the full PCA Position statement on Characterizing Flavors.
This bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Public Policy. If you are a retail shop owner, employee, manufacturer, or cigar consumer, take a few moments to send your state elected officials a note opposing HF 2177.