Well my GA Senator gave me the run around letter for Tobacco S.1461
djbeenie
Posts: 469 ✭
Thank you for contacting me regarding S.1461, Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011. I appreciate your comments, and I am glad to have this opportunity to respond.
As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and as someone who represents a state in which agriculture is the number one industry, I take a keen interest in the issue of tobacco regulation. S.1461 was introduced on August 1, 2011, by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). This legislation amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt traditional large and premium cigars from regulation by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration, also known as the FDA. It would also exempt traditional large and premium cigars from user fees assessed on tobacco products by the FDA. S.1461 is currently pending in the Senate HELP Committee.
As my colleagues on the Senate HELP Committee continue to review such proposals, I will evaluate all legislation based on merit. While doing so, I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator
As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and as someone who represents a state in which agriculture is the number one industry, I take a keen interest in the issue of tobacco regulation. S.1461 was introduced on August 1, 2011, by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). This legislation amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt traditional large and premium cigars from regulation by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration, also known as the FDA. It would also exempt traditional large and premium cigars from user fees assessed on tobacco products by the FDA. S.1461 is currently pending in the Senate HELP Committee.
As my colleagues on the Senate HELP Committee continue to review such proposals, I will evaluate all legislation based on merit. While doing so, I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator
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Comments
You will be pleased to know that I became a cosponsor of this legislation on October 13, 2011. Like you, I believe H.R. 1639 would protect cigar store owners from burdensome regulations while also allowing for rules that keep minors from purchasing cigarettes.
Thats about the same thing i got from Saxby Chambliss today...
Heres another for 1639-
Dear Mr. Brooks:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding S. 1461, the "Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011." It is good to hear from you, and I appreciate you letting me know your thoughts.
S. 1461 was introduced in the Senate on August 1, 2011, and was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further review. If enacted, this legislation would exempt traditional large and premium cigars from regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It would also waive user fees enforced by the FDA on tobacco products that are wrapped only in leaf tobacco, contain no filter, and weigh at least 6 pounds per 1,000 count. Should this legislation come before the full Senate, I will keep your thoughts and views in mind. If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
As you know, the FDA has published notices indicating its intention to regulate premium cigars under the Tobacco Act, which primarily targeted cigarettes. Cigars are considered tobacco products under this law, but the FDA must first issue a regulation subjecting cigars to its requirements. To stop these actions by the FDA, the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Prevention Act would exempt premium cigars from the FDA's authority under the Tobacco Act.
I support your right to sell legal products and understand that many regulations, taxes, and "user fees" are unreasonable, especially for small businesses. One-size-fits-all regulations do not work for many products. Also, I support appropriate efforts to educate consumers about the dangers of tobacco use. Rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as the U.S. Senate considers this legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about other issues important to you.