It seems like every few months new legislation is pushed through that relates to cigars and tobacco. Mostly, it aims to uproot the industry for better or worse.
That’s kind of what’s happening now with a bill called the Tobacco Tax Equity S 819/HR 1798. Introduced on March 3, 2025, the bill has been rejected before, many times, but it’s back. While this bill is not likely to get major support from government leadership, it’s always important to stand against these movements when they appear.
The Premium Cigar Association does an excellent job of breaking down the bill and explaining why it’s a problem. You can also find a petition to send a message to your local state representatives, which I highly recommend doing. It only takes a few minutes.
Under the guise of promoting parity and fairness, the bill doesn’t actually address the diverse world of tobacco. It aims to create a uniform tax rate for all tobacco related products. Any cigar smoker knows there’s no equal in this world — cigarettes are not even close. Because of the aim, the tax would also have an unfair and disproportionate impact on select groups of society. Notably, the impoverished, through harmful regressive taxes.
Since many states already impose high taxes and fees on tobacco products, including for small business, this would largely affect family-owned manufacturers and local retailers. It’s not about competition, it’s about the resources required to support these events, and small businesses simply do not have the same resources as the bigger companies and conglomerates. This bill would effectively make it more challenging for local businesses to thrive.
There are other concerns, all addressed in the Premium Cigar Association’s breakdown, which you should definitely read.
In addition to contacting your local and state representatives, however you prefer — whether through email, phone, or otherwise — you can sign the PCA petition. There are never any guarantees those slimy politicians will listen, mind you, but more voices means they can better gauge support or disdain for a particular piece of legislation.
It is my personal belief that all adults over the age of 21 should have the option to decide their lifestyles, including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption and holistic consumption, whether that be medicine or another preferred drug. We own our bodies, plain and simple.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
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