Plain Packaging For Cigars? Plain Madness...

Plain packaging for cigars?

Plain Madness...

Plain packaging for cigars:

Please help protect the UK cigar trade!

Dear Cigar Friends,

We need your support.

The government is proposing to replace the beautiful cigar boxes and distinctive cigar bands we all appreciate with plain packaging. In my view, this would not only remove much of the tradition and enjoyment associated with premium cigars, but it could also make it easier for unscrupulous sellers to misrepresent cigars by using plain bands and falsely claiming they are something they are not.

I've enclosed a link to the Save Our Cigars campaign website. We urgently need as many testimonials and messages of support as possible.

The government has indicated that it is particularly interested in hearing from consumers rather than manufacturers or suppliers, so your voice really can make a difference. These proposed changes could also have wider consequences, including increased costs that may ultimately be passed on to consumers.

Thank you in advance for taking a few moments to lend your support. Every submission helps.

Yours sincerely,

Laurence Davis

The Government is currently consulting on extending standardised (or “plain”) packaging requirements to cigars. The outcome could have serious consequences for cigar enthusiasts, specialist retailers and the availability of handmade cigars in the UK.

Why is cigar packaging important?

An original cigar box is much more than decoration. Its seals, serial numbers, stamps and other security features help customers and retailers verify:

• whether the cigars are genuine;
• their country and factory of origin;
• when they were produced; and
• their age and provenance, particularly for vintage cigars.

These features also provide important protection against counterfeit products.

Why could supply be affected?

Handmade cigars are produced in relatively small quantities, often by specialist manufacturers in Cuba, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras.

The UK represents only a small part of the global cigar market. If manufacturers are required to create completely different packaging specifically for the UK, many may decide that continuing to supply this market is no longer practical.

This could significantly reduce the range of cigars available in the UK and place the future of specialist cigar retailers like ourselves at risk.

Please make your voice heard

If you value access to genuine handmade cigars and want to support the future of the UK’s specialist cigar trade, please take a few minutes to participate.

Visit www.savecigars.co.uk to learn more and have your say.
The response should only take around 10 minutes.

Please also consider forwarding this message to other adult cigar enthusiasts who may wish to participate.

Thank you for your support,

The Sautter Cigars Team