Program areas at CAA
State Affairs Program Activities: CAA monitors and responds to promulgation of tax and regulatory matters which pertain to the cigar industry at the state and local levels of government. CAA advocates on behalf of its members on the industry's views on legislation, taxation, regulation, and other state and local government issues. Member companies are informed about any proposed legislation in the states that will negatively impact the cigar industry. As needed, CAA will seek to stop negative regulation or pursue litigation in a particular state to pursue the best interests of its members.
FDA Litigation, State Litigation, Other litigation, and Industry Regulation Monitoring and Response: Most of these expenses pertain to the ongoing litigation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2020, the association continued its ongoing litigation and regulatory response on behalf of its members with the FDA. The legal services we engaged in on behalf of our members included talking, educating, and informing the FDA about our industry, how our products are processed and manufactured, the complications of regulating the cigar industry, and the impact that the FDA regulation will have on our members and the industry. Other expenses in this line item pertain to local and/or state government litigation focused on tax issues, legislation, and sales bans that impact the cigar industry.
Federal Affairs Program Activities: CAA monitors and responds to promulgation of tax and regulatory matters which pertain to the cigar industry at the federal level of government. CAA advocates on behalf of its members on the cigar industry's views that benefit them in the areas of regulation, taxation, and with legislators and relevant government agencies. Members are informed any proposed federal legislation that negatively impacts the cigar industry. As needed, CAA will pursue litigation or attempt to stop regulation that negatively impacts the cigar industry.
Surveys and Statistical Reporting: This program activity pertains to various types of member surveys for member sales reporting. It also includes statistical reporting of industry data such as imports, exports, and data provided by the TTB on the industry for domestic manufacturing.
Public Relations: This program activity pertains to communicating with the public through social media, our website, press releases, and other media outlets. Expenses include public affairs and communications consulting fees, graphic design expenses for our social media, website, and other promotional materials. Costs include website development and maintenance. Other expenses include meetings and events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Cigar Association of America.
Annual Meeting Expenses: This program activity pertains to the expenses for our annual board meeting and member meeting. In 2022, after missing two years due to Covid-19, we were back at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, FL for our annual meeting in November 2022.