BOTL - I hope you all take a few minutes to read this post. This morning, I happened upon an article touting the new "Hello Kitty" branded wine:
The main reason as to WHY the FDA wants to regulate premium cigars is allegedly to 'protect our youth.' They claim that we (premium cigar industry) market towards the youth of America. Take a look at that photo of the "Hello Kitty" (a KID'S cartoon!) wine and then take a look at ANY premium cigar, cigar box, or advertisement, and you tell me WHICH appears to market to our youth!?
And yet, the FDA doesn't even regulate alcohol (the TTB does). Why? Supposedly because it is seen as an "agricultural commodity." If that is the case, the same argument can be made for premium cigars. In fact, I'd venture to guess there are more artificial additives (sulfites, preservatives, etc.) found in wine and/or alcohol than premium cigars. Premium cigars contain black tobacco and glue/gum (to affix the cap)--that is all.
My guess is the real reason the FDA stays away from alcohol but wants to regulate premium cigars is one of economics. The approximate annual revenue for premium cigars in the U.S. is $1.9B. The approximate annual revenue for alcohol in the U.S. is $189B. In other words, $187.1B buys you a helluva lot more lobbying power in D.C., which--let's face it--buys you a helluva lot more politicians.
This whole thing of our government being "For the people--By the people" has eroded into "For the government--BUY the government."
Would love to hear your comments, opinions, views on this topic on this thread. Thanks for listening.
Jon Huber
Crowned Heads
The main reason as to WHY the FDA wants to regulate premium cigars is allegedly to 'protect our youth.' They claim that we (premium cigar industry) market towards the youth of America. Take a look at that photo of the "Hello Kitty" (a KID'S cartoon!) wine and then take a look at ANY premium cigar, cigar box, or advertisement, and you tell me WHICH appears to market to our youth!?
And yet, the FDA doesn't even regulate alcohol (the TTB does). Why? Supposedly because it is seen as an "agricultural commodity." If that is the case, the same argument can be made for premium cigars. In fact, I'd venture to guess there are more artificial additives (sulfites, preservatives, etc.) found in wine and/or alcohol than premium cigars. Premium cigars contain black tobacco and glue/gum (to affix the cap)--that is all.
My guess is the real reason the FDA stays away from alcohol but wants to regulate premium cigars is one of economics. The approximate annual revenue for premium cigars in the U.S. is $1.9B. The approximate annual revenue for alcohol in the U.S. is $189B. In other words, $187.1B buys you a helluva lot more lobbying power in D.C., which--let's face it--buys you a helluva lot more politicians.
This whole thing of our government being "For the people--By the people" has eroded into "For the government--BUY the government."
Would love to hear your comments, opinions, views on this topic on this thread. Thanks for listening.
Jon Huber
Crowned Heads