|
|
|
| NEW LIMITED-EDITION CIGAR FROM GURKHA |
|
|
|
Page 2 of 2
“While backers of the FDA tobacco bill hope the House will vote on it sometime this spring, there are still substantial obstacles to its passage. The FDA commissioner has already raised concerns about the bill, and there is a good chance that the President will veto it when it comes to his desk. “Opponents, including R.J. Reynolds, and the American Wholesale Marketers Association, have also argued that the FDA, which has been faulted by many for its handling of drug and food safety, isn't up to handling tobacco regulation. “The FDA tobacco bill, drafted by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), would among other things, allow the FDA to set product standards, which could include limiting certain ingredients in cigarettes. Tobacco makers would have to turn over to the agency extensive information and win FDA approval for claims that products carry reduced health risks. The agency would get the ability to regulate advertising of tobacco products. “A Senate version of the bill was approved by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Aug. 1. The full Senate is expected to debate the bill in the next few months.” Although indications are that the legislation is not initially directed at cigars, a strongly anti-tobacco administration could apply the powers given to the FDA to cigars and to cigar makers. Media reports have noted that Arizona senator and presumptive Republican Presidential candidate John McCain, who has been a supporter of this bill in the past, has voiced some concerns about it in recent months, noting that the FDA has – as opponents have pointed out – had plenty of issues to deal with over drug and food safety recalls. Bruce Lewis just can’t stay away: Although Torano Cigars turned its distribution operations over to C.A.O. Cigars in December of last year so the company could concentrate on manufacturing, the promotion of the extensive Torano catalog still requires a dedicated brand manager. And the Toranos acquired a significant talent with the hiring of Australian native Bruce Lewis. “Following my five-year appointment with General Cigar in New York,” he said, “I repatriated to Australia at the end of 2005, to start my own sales and marketing consultation business in a different field. But daily, I wondered what was happening in the cigar industry. It was at that point I came to the realization that I would not be truly content working in any other industry.” Lewis’s career with General Cigar as Director of International Business Development saw him create new opportunities for the company’s brands, such as Macanudo, in Europe where Havana cigars hold a grip on most of the market. He carved out an increased share for Macanudo with the introduction of an annual limited-edition blend and among other projects, introduced some of General’s La Gloria Cubana blends under the El Credito International brand name thanks to the trademark situation overseas. His opportunities at Torano should be limitless, not only because of the quality of the cigars and the wide respect they have in the market, but the family’s background as leaf growers of the highest quality in pre-Castro Cuba beginning in 1916. After all, who knows more about what goes into making cigars than those who create them from the ground up? That may be a way to introduce Torano’s brands to audiences beyond their current American market base and the 38-year-old Lewis will certainly be up to the task. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
Bookmark
Email This
Comments (0)
 Write comment
         |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Following Column | Previous Column > |
|---|
 |
 |
Did you know?
“After nationalization of the cigar trade, Cuba introduced only one new brand between 1960 and 1990: Cohiba.
