The Cigar Industry Needs You!
For those of you who have been watching the news, you may recall hearing about The Governments Tobacco and Vapes Bill which is currently working it's way through parliament. The aim of the bill is to, in effect, create the first smoke free generation, with the Government setting themselves a target of 2028 for the implementation. The bill, if it becomes law, will basically ban the sale of ALL tobacco products to anyone born after the 1st of January 2009.
If you think the Government’s proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill is only going to affect young people, you are mistaken. It will affect everyone who currently enjoys a cigar, pipe tobacco, cigarillos or snuff. The Bill’s stated aim is to prevent the adoption of smoking by young people, and yet no evidence whatsoever has been put forward by the Government to suggest that cigars, pipes, cigarillos or snuff contribute to this issue. The Bill, as it stands, currently covers ALL OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS alongside cigarettes in the proposed ban.
If we don't act now to get the bill amended, the choice of Cigars and other tobacco products available to buy, will diminish over time, as the market size decreases, offering less and less choice for those of us who are allowed to legally buy these products. The bill needs amended so that cigars, pipe tobacco, cigarillos and snuff are not included.
Time is not on our side and is rapidly running out. The Bill has already had it's first reading in parliament and it went through uncontested. We need your voice to help stop this travesty - your freedom of choice is at risk as are the jobs in our industry.
To voice your opinion we recommend writing or emailing your local MP asap, voicing your concerns and to ask that the bill to be amended. There is a website that has more information about the ban and the effects that a blanket ban would have. You will also find templates for constructing your letters or emails. Please also get as many friends and colleagues to help us as well before it's too late.
Thank you.
