New regulations could have Tampa's premium cigar rolling industry going up in smoke
When people see the tobacco leaves, hear the beat of Latin music, and watch hand rollers doing their thing, they might think they're in Havana.
TAMPA, Fla.--There’s a reason Tampa’s nickname is Cigar City: It has more than 100 years of history in the cigar rolling industry.
But now there’s concern it could all go up in smoke.
When people see the tobacco leaves, hear the beat of Latin music, and watch hand rollers doing their thing, they might think they’re in Havana.
“A lot of people, their whole lives are based around a cigar industry. It’s not just a job, it’s their passion,” Asiel Bacallao, who works at Tabanero Cigars in Ybor City said.
Tabanero is one of several small, but poplar premium cigar makers.
Now they’re concerned new FDA rules will regulate them like cigarettes. That would make it too expensive to stay in business.
“I would pretty much lose my job and have to look for a different route, a different way,” Bacallao said, “But it definitely wouldn’t be something that I love as much as I love cigars.”
The industry is getting some last-minute bipartisan political support from Florida lawmakers who are asking the FDA to make an exception for premium cigar makers.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R) Florida, took to the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday.
“This rule is about to kick in,” said Rubio. “We’re going to wipe these guys out, because of a government rule and the way it was interpreted even though it was never meant to be about them.”
The FDA had delayed implementing the 2016 rules to hear more public input, but that process ended on Wednesday. So, a decision could come any day now.
Tourists like Dominic Marfisi said they love visiting Tampa and experiencing its unique history and culture.
But if local cigar makers are forced out?
“I don’t think you could have Ybor City without handmade cigars,” said Marfisi.
Even locals like Richard Ficocelli, who just enjoy a good cigar, have concerns about more regulation pushing prices higher.
He and others would just as soon the FDA stay out of their local stogie stores.
“I come down here and try to enjoy my cigar,” said Ficocelli. “What do I come down here once or twice a week? You know, so why you gotta mess with my cigar?”
In Cigar City, you might be hard-pressed to find anybody in favor of implementing the new FDA regulations, but there are health groups who say the government has already studied this, and concluded all tobacco, even premium cigars, pose a public health threat.
They argue there is simply no reason, at this point, to delay the implementation of those rules any longer.
Senator Rubio said there is an item in the latest house appropriations bill that could give premium cigar makers a reprieve.
He said he and other Florida lawmakers will be pushing for that, even as they try to pressure the FDA into granting an exception.
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