Washington, D.C.  September 24, 2010 – Nearly two dozen members and representatives of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association based in Columbus, Georgia are making a difference in Washington, D.C. – literally.

The group recently called on their U.S. representatives and senators in Washington, D.C.  to make sure they understand that premium cigars and pipe tobacco are different from all other tobacco products. 

They explained to their congressional representatives that premium cigars comprise only around three percent of all cigars sold, less than one-half of one percent of the overall tobacco market, and that premium cigars are different from machine-made cigars and cigarettes.  As a result, premium cigars should be classified separately from other tobacco products when taxation considerations are being made and as the Federal Drug Administration is reviewing its role in controlling tobacco products as part of the recently enacted Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

“What we’re doing is important to all premium cigars retailers, manufacturers and our customers because our businesses are at stake as is our industry whenever tobacco tax increases and control measures are considered at the federal and state levels,” said Gary Pesh, president of the IPCPR board of directors. “Ours is a strictly adult product, not inhaled and smoked in moderation not as a habit but more as a hobby.”

The IPCPR represents some 2,000 premium cigar stores throughout the United States and manufacturers which, for the most part, are family-owned, small businesses that have been around for generations.

CAPTION --  Calling on Congress are IPCPR members and representatives (left to right – first row) Gary Pesh of Old Virginia Tobacco Company in Woodbridge, VA; Rene Gerard of Piper’s Haven in Lafayette, LA; Jim Clark of Straus Tobacconist in Cincinnati, OH; Gordon Smith of Edward’s Pipe & Tobacco Shop in Tampa, FL; Chris McCalla, legislative director of IPCPR in Columbus, GA; Gary Kolesaire of The Tobacco Shop in Ridgewood, NJ; David Berkebile of Georgetown Tobacco in Washington, DC; (second row) Tracy Jones of Truly Cigars in Marietta, GA; Jeff Steinbock of Uhle’s Pipe Shop in Milwaukee, WI; Rick Hopkins of Ye Olde Pipe & Tobacco in Phoenix, AZ; Andrea Pingel, area sales manager for Davidoff; Rick Payne of Havana Dreamin’ in Montgomery, AL; Jim Luftman of Blue Havana II Cigars & Gifts in Alpharetta, GA; Gerry Roerty of General Cigar; Jeff Borysiewicz of Corona Cigar Co. in Orlando, FL; and Ken Neumann of Cigars & More in Libertyville, IL. 

Not pictured are Gregory Zimmerman of The Tobacco Company in Lemoyne, PA; Jeff Packer of The Tinder Box in Tacoma, WA; and Mike Copperman of Bethesda Tobacco in Bethesda, MD.

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