Minnesota Aims to Oust Low-Revenue Earning Cigars

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 03/03/2011

A bill introduced in Minnesota aims to bring small flavored cigars within an expanded definition of cigarettes. The cigars in question are filtered tobacco products that usually retail in packs of 20, but, because they are wrapped in brown paper, they have been classified in law as an "other tobacco product". The Cigarette Uniformity Act broadens the statutory definition of cigarettes to include products that have cellulose acetate or other cigarette-like filters and are of a similar size and weight to cigarettes. This change means little cigars will be subject to the same taxes and fees as apply to cigarettes, will be required to have Department of Revenue tax stamps, and will be subject to the state's minimum price law. Some of the small cigars have peach, grape, strawberry and chocolate flavors and retail for less than $2 a pack. Enditem