Increased regulation could be ahead for cigars in 2011.

In the Dec. 20, 2010 issue of the Federal Register, the Department of Health and Human Services published the agency’s semi-annual “Regulatory Agenda” which provides a forecast of rulemaking actions under development that the agency expects to undertake. The FDA is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported that the regulatory agenda lists a proposed rule titled “Cigars Subject to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.” This Act is no stranger to convenience store owners, as it gave the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products.

The notice, found under Sequence Number 325, includes an abstract on the proposed rule. According to the abstract, the rule would “deem cigars to be subject to the Tobacco Control Act and include provisions to address public health concerns raised by cigars.” The notice listed the possible action timetable for a proposed rule on cigars as June 2011.