Important Message BOTL in the UK - Action Alert

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Not sure what the vibe is here about Privada Club - I was recently introduced to them through a contact in Nicaragua.

After just the first 1/3 of the cigar, I can tell you I wanted more - balanced flavors, peppery, chocolate, and some mild spices. All the flavors came through in the retro-hale; a really enjoyable stick.

Last half of the smoke, all the flavor intensified nicely - it's a blend between an everyday smoke and an end-of-the-week smoke to kick off the weekend.

Paired with a mocha Latte and the barista's test sample of strawberry smoothie. The smoothie and cigar were an ok experience. Coffee and tea remain my preferred pairings.

All the notes were there, just on the lighter side - nothing pronounced to start. The 2/3 cinnamon, earthy, chocolate, and, of course, leather. The finish was deeper in flavor, nicotine, and peppery.

Great mid-morning smoke if you're not looking for a morning Connecticut or an afternoon Maduro...

The most important new development is in Rhode Island, where the Division of Taxation has now published formal guidance explaining a cigar-industry provision enacted through the FY2027 budget.

The law expands eligibility for a state Cigarette, Tobacco and ENDS distributor’s license to dealers whose annual sales are more than 50% cigars. A qualifying business may hold its distributor and dealer licenses at the same location. The change took effect on June 12, 2026.

Federal Designation - discussed

My Father's Monday - at my SmokeEasy. That's how we roll in New England. Spicy cinnamon, coco just a beautiful, mild, bold cigar. #myfather #PTL #ProtectTheLeaf

State by State Advocacy Work

Protect The Leaf - Defend The Lounge - www.NEPCA.co

#PTL #ProtectTheLeaf #NEPCA

Update July 17th - Rhode Island has dropped the tax increase on cigars.

Good News for Rhode Island: the tax increase on premium cigars was eliminated. No Increase!

Join nepca.co for updates and share.

#nepca #ptl #protecttheleaf

Federal Ruling - Victory
The most significant recent federal decision for the premium cigar industry came on April 15, 2026, when Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order reaffirming that the FDA's 2016 Deeming Rule does not apply to qualifying premium cigars. This effectively finalized a legal battle that has lasted nearly a decade. 
What the court decided
Reaffirmed its earlier decision that the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it applied the Deeming Rule to premium cigars without adequately considering evidence that premium cigars are consumed differently from mass-market tobacco products. 

Re-adopted the same eight-part definition of a "premium cigar" that it established previously.

Ordered that the FDA's Deeming Rule be vacated (set aside) for products meeting that definition. 

Why this matters
For qualifying premium cigars, the ruling means they are no longer subject to the FDA's Deeming Rule requirements that applied to many tobacco products. This removes a significant layer of FDA oversight for that category, although premium cigars remain subject to other federal and state laws, such as taxation, import rules, advertising laws, and age restrictions. 
The court's premium cigar definition
To qualify, a cigar generally must meet all of the following criteria:
Wrapped in whole tobacco leaf

100% tobacco leaf binder

At least 50% long-filler tobacco by weight

Handmade or hand-rolled

No filter

No non-tobacco tip or mouthpiece

No characterizing flavor other than tobacco

Meets minimum weight and pricing characteristics established by the court's definition. 

Timeline
2016 – FDA Deeming Rule extends FDA authority to cigars.

July 2022 – Judge Mehta rules the FDA failed to properly justify regulating premium cigars.

August 2023 – District court vacates the rule as applied to premium cigars.

January 24, 2025 – The D.C. Circuit largely affirms that decision but asks the district court to clarify the definition of "premium cigar." 

April 15, 2026 – Judge Mehta issues the final order, retains the same definition, and confirms the exemption.

Federal Ruling - Victory

The most significant recent federal decision for the premium cigar industry came on April 15, 2026, when Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order reaffirming that the FDA's 2016 Deeming Rule does not apply to qualifying premium cigars. This effectively finalized a legal battle that has lasted nearly a decade. 

What the court decided

• Reaffirmed its earlier decision that the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it applied the Deeming Rule to premium cigars without adequately considering evidence that premium cigars are consumed differently from mass-market tobacco products. 
• Re-adopted the same eight-part definition of a "premium cigar" that it established previously.
• Ordered that the FDA's Deeming Rule be vacated (set aside) for products meeting that definition.

 

Why this matters

For qualifying premium cigars, the ruling means they are no longer subject to the FDA's Deeming Rule requirements that applied to many tobacco products. This removes a significant layer of FDA oversight for that category, although premium cigars remain subject to other federal and state laws, such as taxation, import rules, advertising laws, and age restrictions. 

The court's premium cigar definition

To qualify, a cigar generally must meet all of the following criteria:

• Wrapped in whole tobacco leaf
• tobacco leaf binder
• Handmade or hand-rolled
• No filter
• No non-tobacco tip or mouthpiece
• No characterizing flavor other than tobacco
• Meets minimum weight and pricing characteristics established by the court's definition.

 

Timeline

• – FDA Deeming Rule extends FDA authority to cigars.