Industry Leaders Join CRA on Capitol Hill to Advocate for H.R. 2111

Last month, Cigar Rights of America joined industry leaders Jorge Padrón of Padrón Cigars and Cory Bappert of Oliva Cigar Company for multiple full days of advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill in support of the premium cigar industry. Their presence in Washington underscored the importance of H.R. 2111, the Cutting the Invasive Government’s Arbitrary Regulations (CIGAR) Act, and the urgent need to advance protections for premium cigars in Congress.

During their visit, Padrón and Bappert met with numerous members of Congress to thank them for their support and encourage additional co-sponsorship of this bipartisan legislation. These conversations focused on the long-term stability and regulatory clarity needed by premium cigar manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.

Introduced by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), H.R. 2111 provides a clear federal definition of a premium cigar and formally exempts such products from the FDA’s one-size-fits-all regulatory framework. While a federal court ruling in 2023 struck down the FDA’s authority over premium cigars, the lack of a statutory definition means the industry remains vulnerable to future regulatory overreach.

CRA fully supports H.R. 2111 because it enshrines common-sense protections, promotes regulatory certainty, and ensures premium cigars are treated as the distinct products they are. The bill outlines an eight-part definition of what qualifies as a premium cigar, emphasizing handmade construction, long-filler tobacco, and the absence of additives or characterizing flavors beyond natural tobacco.

“This visit to Capitol Hill underscores what’s truly at stake for the premium cigar industry,” said CRA Executive Director Mike Copperman. “H.R. 2111 is about more than just regulatory clarity—it’s about protecting small businesses, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring the premium cigar tradition can thrive for future generations. We’re grateful to Jorge and Cory for lending their voices. Their leadership brings credibility and urgency to our advocacy, helping move the needle where it matters most.”

As CRA continues to build support for H.R. 2111, we urge our members and supporters to take action: contact your representative and ask them to support this critical legislation.To learn more about H.R. 2111 and how you can help defend premium cigars, visit www.cigarrights.org.