As a constituent, I write to express my strong opposition for the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2019 (S.2517). This legislation would harm the premium cigar industry significantly with the massive tax increase that will surely costs jobs and harm small businesses across the country. We understand the willingness to address youth vaping, but this legislation is harmful to our industry, which does not market or sell premium cigars to youth, which is a well-established fact as found by the FDA/NIH data found in the PATH study. I ask you to support the right to enjoy a legal product for adults and to forgo undue burdens that are the cornerstone of S. 2517. We need Congress to address real problems that consider the economic consequences of legislation such as this bill. S. 2517 takes a real problem and paints a broad stroke across all tobacco products without any consideration for usage, type of user, and ultimately the complexity and differences that premium cigars have over the larger tobacco market. I urge you to oppose S. 2517 and stand up for premium cigar retailers, employees, and enthusiasts across the country.

As a constituent, I write to express my strong opposition for the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2019 (S.2517). This legislation would cause significant harm to the thousands of small businesses specializing in premium cigars, by increasing their current tax rate without cause. The premium cigars industry has never been attributed to a public health epidemic, youth usage or nicotine addiction. These facts continue to be proven by the national longitudinal study on tobacco and public health, which is sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. We need Congress to remain focused on the segments of the tobacco industry that present real public health concerns, and to consider the economic consequences that indiscriminate tax increases, such as what is presented by bill. S. 2517, will have on small businesses and consumers. I urge you to oppose S. 2517 and stand up for premium cigar retailers, employees, and enthusiasts across the country.