State Advocacy
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) State Legislative Affairs Team represents the interests of retail tobacconists in state capitols across the country on issues that impact their businesses. PCA monitors relevant state legislation, educates elected officials on the industry, and engages in legislative battles when appropriate. The state affairs team works to affect the passage of legislation that may impact the ability of retail tobacconists to operate successfully.
State Government Affairs Team
Joshua Habursky
Glynn Loope
State News
Louisiana Governor Signs H.B. 111
Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced that Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards signed legislation supporting the industry, strengthening the...
Government Surveillance Center to Monitor Tobacco Industry
The recent establishment of the Center for Rapid Surveillance of Tobacco (CRST), funded by the FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), should raise...
Governor of Montana and State Legislature Approve Cigar Tax Cap
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA), in partnership with its member tobacconists of Montana in the Montana Cigar Association, is pleased to announce that...
State Victories in 2023
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is dedicated to brick-and-mortar premium tobacconists’ current and future success. Advocacy on behalf of premium...
PCA and CRA Applaud North Dakota’s Passing of HB 1229
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) celebrate the passage of HB 1229 in North Dakota, which allows...
PCA Applauds Governor Grisham’s Veto of Harmful Cigar Tax Increase in New Mexico
Washington, D.C. – The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) today expressed its appreciation to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for vetoing the harmful 25% cigar...
Take Action
Oppose Massachusetts Generational Smoking Bans
Cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are considering a new policy called Nicotine Free Generation (NFG), or implementing a “generational smoking ban” while some have gone as far as to ban the sale of perfectly legal products.
Support a Tax Cap on Premium Cigars in Virginia
Virginia’s community tobacconists need a competitive edge! With lower rates surrounding the Commonwealth and competition from lower cost alternatives, it’s time for Virginia to enact a tax cap on premium cigars. Please support language calling for a .30 tax cap on cigars in the new state budget!
Oppose TN HB 2511 and TN SB 2348
On behalf of small businesses, community tobacconists and consumers of Tennessee, it is time to defeat H.B. 2511 and S.B. 2348! This legislation, modeled after proposals in New Zealand, California and Massachusetts would enact a “generational smoking ban” for those born after January 1, 2007.
Support Missouri State Authority
Missouri Representative Ben Keathley has introduced H.B. 2060, which would prohibit local governments from establishing stricter tobacco control ordinances and regulations than those imposed by Missouri’s state government. Local government regulations, fees, taxes, and smoking bans threaten the livelihood of Missouri’s small business community tobacconists. This legislation would prevent such government overreach.
Oppose Tax Increase and Flavor Ban in Michigan
Reduce Taxes on Premium Cigars in Colorado
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and the Colorado Premium Cigar and Pipe Association are pleased to support S.B. 24-102 in this year’s session of the Colorado legislature.
This bill will work to enact a tax reduction on premium cigars in Colorado to 20% of the MLP. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Tom Sullivan, a 20% tax cap is now under consideration in the Colorado legislature.
Oppose New Regulatory Burdens on Small Businesses
The Virginia General Assembly is currently considering two pieces of legislation that threaten the security and prosperity of Virginia’s community tobacconists. It is critical that HB 790 and SB 582 be defeated. These bill would create new licensing and regulatory burdens on Virginia small businesses that sell perfectly legal tobacco products to adults.
Act Now, to protect your shop!
Oppose Local Authority Legislation in Colorado
Pennsylvania, HB 1657 Threatens the Privileges of Premium Cigar Consumers
This legislation seeks to prohibit smoking in enclosed public places and places of employment, private clubs, enclosed residential facilities, and certain outdoor public places and places of employment. This legislation would allow local governments to enact stricter regulations then the state government, and will found a patchwork of smoking regulations which will create an uneven playing field for tobacconists.
State Advocacy Grant Program
As PCA looks to expand on its award-winning advocacy program, we recognize the importance of being local everywhere and in being proactive in pushing positive legislation. That is why we implemented Vision 50: A Decade of Action strategy to bolster our advocacy at the state and local level to ensure we are positively impacting legislation in as many places as we can.
As we look forward to 2024, the PCA is investing more into our state advocacy resources for boots-on-the-ground lobbyists, more state association activations, and strengthening our network across all 50 states. These resources will yield continuous, positive results for you, our retail members so you can have a stable business environment to focus on your business and protect what you have built.
In order for PCA to effectively invest association resources, we are asking states to submit “grant” applications for funding for state lobbying activities. These awards are one-time grants to be used towards lobbyists, progressing positive legislation, defeating bans, taxes, or other onerous over-reaching regulation, and/or defending laws that support our retail members. An award given in one year does not automatically guarantee an award in future years. An application must be submitted every year for a new state advocacy grant.
Criteria
- Have an incorporated and active state association.
- Have an elected board of directors.
- Have a designated treasurer, with authority over accounts.
- Agree to comply with PCA reporting requirements.
- Agree to PCA involvement in consulting lobbyist selection process.
- Agree to disclosure of any and all issues for which funds are used, and for which lobbyist is engaged.
- Provide PCA with operating budget, and amount and source of funds raised by the state association.
Grant Approval
Once an application is received, the PCA Legislative Committee will review the application and make a decision, looking at the total state advocacy strategy across the country, and as it aligns with available funds, resources, and overall PCA engagement.
Contact PCA
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