To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt the premium cigar industry from certain regulations.

This bill would carve out “premium cigars” from federal tobacco rules under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In short, these cigars would no longer be treated as regulated tobacco products under that law. The bill says this carve‑out uses a narrow definition that a federal court recently applied, and points to research showing premium cigars are mostly used by adults, are smoked less often, and are a small share of the market.

To count as a “premium cigar,” it must meet all of these: wrapped in whole tobacco leaf; 100% leaf tobacco binder; at least 50% long‑filler tobacco; handmade or hand‑rolled (only simple tools); no filter or non‑tobacco tip; no flavors other than tobacco; only tobacco, water, and vegetable gum; and weighs more than 6 pounds per 1,000 cigars.

Key points

• Who is affected: adult cigar customers; small, family‑owned cigar makers; specialty tobacco shops and cigar bars.
• What changes: these premium cigars would be exempt from certain federal tobacco regulations; the bill adopts the court’s narrower definition and notes remaining risks could be handled by states.